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The kingdom’s animal lovers opened their hearts and their wallets and made the Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) Pawsome Auction an event to remember, recording the highest amount of funds ever raised in the history of the charity.
An impressive BD11,000 was made from the recent auction and Saturday brunch staged at the Mövenpick Hotel in Muharraq.
The event attracted around 200 supporters who participated in the live and silent bidding war as well as a lucky dip which featured a variety of prizes including beauty, dinner and brunch vouchers, airline tickets, gift baskets and hampers, along with arts and crafts.
Michelle Page, BSPCA’s fundraising coordinator and event organiser, was thrilled and said: “It was very successful and the attendance was way above the expected number of 130.
“A part of the amazing BD11,000 will be set aside towards an expansion of the cat house and the remainder will fund our compound cat neutering service which we offer to the public free-of-charge. These funds will also allow us to carry out more operations each month.”
The items which notched the most bids and created a stir amongst brunchers were two return flights to the UK and two tickets for the FA Cup Final or a Premiership game of the season in April or May next year, provided by sponsor Private Wealth Solutions.
Other quirky pieces on auction were a Himalayan rock salt lamp and a ginger biscuit Purina Cat House made by Taste of Brazil. A selection of donated prizes from vouchers to a bike helmet, baked goods and paintings from celebrated locally-based artist Meriel Cooper were up for grabs in a lucky dip which cost BD10 for three dips.
Amidst the laughter and good food, guests were entertained by singer Anna Thompson-Hall accompanied by JoJo Vivero on piano, Edwin Cardozo on bass and Antonion Dewaas on drums. Memorable fun ditties were also performed by an act calling themselves The Men from the BSPCA.
Michelle said: “The ditties were first performed at our fashion show last year by Guy Parker and Mike Keates and again this year at the Art to the Rescue Auction. They were so popular with guests that we decided to ask them to perform again.
“These gentlemen are long-term residents of Bahrain and back in the past used to sing these songs at BSPCA events, so we are delighted to resurrect the tradition. Neither are volunteers at the shelter or the shop but have been supporters of the society for many years by offering to entertain at our events.”
Children and adults also got their faces painted and a balloonist went around the tables blowing up elaborate creations.
The charities next fun fashion event entitled James Bone, which promises to be a delight, will take place at the British Club on November 19. Tickets cost BD15 inclusive of refreshment, three-course meal and entertainment. And a Festive Fair Designer Day will be held at the BSPCA’s thrift shop at the Busheiri Garden Compound on Budaiya Highway on November 28.
Michelle says even more exciting new events are planned. She said: “You’ll have to wait and see. We’re still recovering from this one although we do have an idea in the pipeline for a really exciting initiative!
“It’s always difficult to come up with completely new ideas for charity fundraising and so a certain number of our events are well-tried and tested and rolled out every year such as the dog walk and fashion show and, of course, the quizzes.
“We are always open to suggestions but we do need assistance to help run them! It takes a lot of time and energy, especially working out the format for a new idea, and so the more helping hands, the better.”
If you can help, email michellebspca@hotmail.com or contact Liz Reid for ticket enquiries on 39950460.
