Big Kids Halloween Ball 2008: Sponsored By Bonita Trust

Halloween Ball Gibraltar

It was a dark, cold night, as torrential rain lashed the eerily deserted East side of the rock on the 31st October, as groups of revellers braved the storm to reach the Caleta hotel, where they found the festival hall transformed into a spine chilling party crypt: Ghostly bands and ghoulish DJs played,thriller dancers entertained the monstrous crowd, others enjoyed the deadly buffet or relaxed in the “death by bean bag” chill out corner, but all determined to celebrate this most fitting of Halloween nights, and raise money for local charities in the process.

Building on last year’s success, the Big Kids Halloween Ball 2008, whose main sponsors were The Bonita Trust, The Caleta Hotel, Quad Consultancy, Anglo Hispano, Stagnettos, Cassava and Stan James, raised £6,435.23 for Childline Gibraltar and the Neuroblastoma Society Gibraltar.

Amongst key members of the local community, some difficult to recognize behind their elaborate disguises, were Barbara Sellors from Childline Gibraltar and Miss Gibraltar 2008, Krystle Robba.

Speaking on behalf of The Bonita Trust’s International Advisory Board, the main sponsor of the event, Ruth Parasol DeLeon commented, “Our community is incredibly important to us; we have a duty to look after each other and ensure the support structures are in place to provide for the future of the community. Childline and the Neuroblastoma Society provide an invaluable service for our children.” The Caleta Hotel General Manager Franco Ostuni who donated on behalf of the hotel an impressive equivalent of £6,900 which would have been the food and venue hire remarked: “The Caleta Hotel has been supporting the Neuroblastoma Aggressive Childhood Cancer Research charity for several years and has been involved following the directors of the company’s example in many fund raising events. We are delighted to be involved also in this particular one and thank our cosponsors for the support”

Organiser Emily Brown, of Iberian Events agrees: “The importance of this event does not only lie in the crucial financial help that it brings to very worthy charities, but also in the way that it brings the community together to achieve commendable goals, and have fun at the same time!”. Asked if there will be a Big Kids Ball 2009, she adds: “We have got great things planned for next year, the venue will be announced shortly and the theme will be a white gala music festival. It’s going to be unmissable.”

“The turn out for Halloween Ball Gibraltar was excellent, and absolutely everyone was in such superb fancy dress, it was a brilliant night and we can’t wait to organise the next one” said Tara Chapman co-organiser.