London Committee

What is the role of the London Committee?

The London Committee organise a number of high profile events that raise money for CLIC Sargent. Events have included: The Chelsea Party; Maazel’s 70th Birthday Concert at the Barbican; several Evenings at Sanderson; Burns Suppers and the St Nicholas Children’s Parties, as well as a highly successful Lecture Series.

The London Committee has a reputation for attracting great A-list social and celebrity attendees at its events and this in turn has attracted many high-profile fashion companies to approach them.

The London Committee raised a staggering £650,000 net at The Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair Party, held in June.

An important rule that the Committee has always applied is that costs for major events must be sourced so that all the money raised from them goes directly to fund the work of CLIC Sargent.

The history of the London Committee

In 1998 Michael Mackenzie of Jacquesson Champagne celebrated 200 years of his company with a concert and dinner at Eton College.  Sargent Cancer Care for Children was chosen to benefit from this event and Sara Carello was invited to help organise it.

Sara’s dynamism and huge network of friends ensured that this first venture was a resounding success, both socially and financially. Sargent Cancer Care for Children  received a net profit of £145,000.

Subsequently, the Director of Fundraising invited Sara to form and chair a permanent London Committee whose purpose would be to raise the Charity’s profile and also bring in much-needed funds through a series of high-profile social events. The committee undertook to raise £1,000,000 over a period of four years and achieved this.

Lady Helen Taylor and Marie-Christine de Laubarède succeeded Sara Carello as Co-chairmen and the mantle has now fallen to Philip Knatchbull and Allegra Hicks.

The London Committee has an ongoing relationship with Purple PR, whose impressive connections in the world of fashion and with clients such as hotelier Ian Schrager has resulted in some fabulous events. A-list celebrities, such as Ewan MacGregor, Sharleen Spiteri and Jade Jagger have given us continuing support. Ewan and Sharleen host the Burns Suppers and Jade Jagger designed the beautiful friendship bracelets. Purple also introduced the Charity to Gap who subsequently entered a 2-year partnership agreement with the CLIC Sargent and sponsored one of the Previews of the hit musical BILLY ELLIOT, to celebrate the merger of CLIC (Cancer and Leukaemia in Children)  and Sargent Cancer Care for Children in 2005.

The Committee continues to organise innovative, fun events which fulfil its commitment to CLIC Sargent and is now well on the way to raising its third million.