DIAMONDS AND TIARAS FOR BATH'S GLITTERATI AT GALA DINNER

February 16th 2007

SPARKLING tiaras and diamonds in champagne were on the menu last night at a lavish charity dinner to mark the official launch of the five-star Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel, in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, president of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

The event, which celebrated the completion of an extensive 22-month, multi-million refurbishment programme at the hotel, was attended by dignitaries from across Bath, celebrities and leading business people from Scotland and the South West.

Actors Lorraine Chase, Steph Stokes in Emmerdale; 'Oxo mum' Lynda Bellingham, who is currently starring in ITV sitcom Bonkers; and Russell Floyd, Ken Drummond in The Bill, all attended the event. Both Lorraine and Lynda have first-hand experience of the work of a carer, because Lynda cared for her mother when she suffered from Alzheimer's and Lorraine's mother is a carer for her father.

Lorraine Chase commented: "This charity is particularly close to my heart as my mum is a full-time carer for my dad, and I know from first-hand experience just how taxing it can be, both physically and psychologically. Most people simply do not realise just how much work they undertake - after all when you are ill and you have a problem you will take your frustrations out on those who are closest to you first, and they are inevitably your carer.

"The afternoon tea for carers held at Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel was wonderful - they acknowledged the need for carers and their loved ones to take time out and to be cared for themselves. The team were exceptional and everyone I spoke to felt like they were being really looked after, which gave them such a lift."

More than 60 family carers involved with The Care Network in Bath, a Carers Support organisation in Bath and North East Somerset which is part of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers Network attended the afternoon tea. Carers had the chance to meet the celebrities, share their story with others, and enjoy a well-deserved afternoon off.

Speaking at the dinner in the hotel's newly-refurbished Vellore restaurant last night, HRH The Princess Royal, said: "The splendidly renovated Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel has been a treat for The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

"I would like to express our sincere thanks to Macdonald Hotels for their longstanding support and their understanding about what carers do, and their help for carers. Donald Macdonald and his wife Christine have combined their personal interest with their business interests to provide us with an excellent opportunity to spread the word about what we do."

The 100 guests feasted on a five-course meal of Jerusalem artichoke soup with Perigord truffle cream, toasted blinis with salmon and caviar, Highland lamb, a range of puddings and a selection of West Country cheeses.

Dinner was rounded off with a performance by Tenors Un LIMITED - tipped to be the next Il Divo - with guests then given the chance to raise funds for the charity and win a 0.5 carat diamond worth £2,500 hidden inside a glass of champagne. Generous guests then dipped deep into their pockets and evening bags to support the raffle and auction in aid of the Trust.

The exclusive prizes included a trip to Dubai for four with business flights, a game of tennis with Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade, a holiday for eight at a private champagne chateau, the chance to appear on hit TV show Deal or No Deal and open the 'Blue Box', and VIP tickets to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Although the final sum is yet to be totted up, the hotel hopes to have raised a significant sum for the charity through ticket sales, the raffle and auction.

At the end of the evening guests retired to their five-star rooms in the hotel, including Imperial Suites, a new private luxury residence in the grounds of the hotel with butler service and a high level of privacy, which is already attracting celebrity guests who want to visit Bath but stay out of the public eye.

Managing Director of Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel Giorgio Borgonovo said the event had been a huge success, as well as being a chance to support a worthy cause.

He said: "We were delighted to welcome The Princess Royal to the hotel and once again support Her charity. The evening was fantastic and we are thrilled to have raised such a large sum for the Trust.

"We hope this goes a long way to supporting the valuable work they do helping carers. Meeting the carers from the Bath area at the afternoon tea and hearing about the sacrifices they make to look after their loved ones was a humbling experience."

Shan Nicholas, Chief Executive of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, commented: "Macdonald Hotels have clearly demonstrated their compassion for and commitment to carers in the UK through their 'Make a Difference' campaign. The promotion of this programme, which allows guests to make a donation through all of the hotels, has been strongly underpinned by all staff and management demonstrating their 'buy in' through a range of significant fundraising efforts.

"We are delighted that they supported The Trust at such a prestigious event, the relaunch of their flagship hotel, The Macdonald Bath Spa, and I would like to offer my thanks, on behalf of The Trust and all the carers who have benefited from this partnership, to everyone who has helped to make this possible."

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