Surf Relief UK and Fifteen Cornwall join forces for fund raising dinner and auction at the White Stuff Surf Relief Festival.

Disadvantaged young people throughout the country will benefit from a new collaboration announced today between two Cornwall-based charities.

Surf Relief UK and Fifteen Cornwall are joining together to host a fund raising charity dinner and auction as part of the 2008 White Stuff Surf Relief Festival at Watergate Bay. Organisers hope to raise a significant sum on the evening of Friday 25th July, with the proceeds to be shared between the two charities.

Both charities have young people at the heart of their focus. Surf Relief UK’s ‘Surfable’ project provides subsidised surfing lessons to introduce disabled young people to the sport for the first time; Fifteen Cornwall offers disadvantaged young people a unique opportunity to gain skills and experience within the catering industry that can help turn their lives around.

“Our relationship with White Stuff and Surf Relief was our first partnership – a high profile one and a natural one given our terrific location and charitable aims,” said Dave Meneer, Chief Executive Officer of Fifteen Cornwall.

“Both Fifteen and Surf Relief were set up to help kids facing big challenges in life . . . by offering them another one. The chance to get in that kitchen and make a name for themselves, or to get out there in the waves where they probably never felt they’d feel at home.

“Those eating at Fifteen Cornwall during the festival will be able to look one way and see the trainee chefs getting to work in the kitchen, and look out the window to see Surf Relief getting to work in the waves with their youngsters - two remarkable charities in action.”

Fifteen Cornwall will host the dinner - a six course tasting menu specially created for the evening by Executive Chef Neil Haydock - with each course served with matching wines.

As well as delicious food and drink, organisers are working on creating an outstanding portfolio of lots for the auction, particularly experiences and items which usually money cannot buy.

Guests attending the dinner will have the opportunity to bid for 20 unique lots. Confirmed so far are ‘3 x Fifteen’ - dinner at the three European branches of Fifteen in Cornwall, London and Amsterdam, with three nights hotel accommodation and return flights.

Also available to the highest bidder is a personal photographer for a day. Nina Duncan, whose previous subjects include the Queen and Nelson Mandela, will spend a day with the winning bidder’s family to capture images of them in their natural environment.

Dave Manley, Chairman of Surf Relief UK, said: “Surf Relief UK are delighted to be working with Fifteen Cornwall and the Cornwall Foundation of Promise who, like us, are committed to improving the lives of young people.

“Money raised from the event will be shared between the two charities, and for every £15 raised for Surf Relief UK a disabled child or young person will receive a one-to-one surfing lesson with an experienced instructor from our surf school network - an experience that, for many, will stay with them for ever.”

The fund raising dinner and auction are a key part of the White Stuff Surf Relief Festival, which also includes a live music festival, pro surfing competition, and a packed programme of beach games and activities.

The festival begins at Watergate Bay on Friday 25th July with many of the UK’s best surfers competing in the third round of the UK Pro Surf Tour series, the country’s highest-profile series of domestic surfing competitions.

Then at 2.00 pm on Saturday 26th July, a team of skydivers will parachute onto the beach to officially open the White Stuff Surf Relief Festival. Activities planned for the day include a Surf Lifesaving competition, beach games, and family activities including t-shirt painting and a circus workshop.

The day will close with the Sunset Sessions, a live music festival for 2,500 people right on the sand. Organisers are close to confirming a well-known headline band for the event; further details will be announced as soon as arrangements are finalised.

“White Stuff is proud to be working with Surf Relief and Fifteen Cornwall on this fantastic event at Watergate Bay,” said Susan Crawford, Marketing Manager at White Stuff. “The festival will be a unique experience combining pro surfing, family activities and music from top bands, all in a stunning location right on the beach.

“As well as a great evening, this year’s fund raising dinner and auction at Fifteen Cornwall will also be key to raising as much money as possible. We hope to raise a significant amount for Surf Relief UK and Fifteen Cornwall’s charity, the Cornwall Foundation of Promise - both of whom make a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged young people.”

Tickets for the evening are priced at £150 per person. Tickets are not on sale yet, but those interested in attending the charity dinner and auction can register their interest by emailing Natasha Arnold at Fifteen Cornwall on natasha@fifteencornwall.co.uk.

Organisers are also very keen to hear from anyone who would like to donate a lot for inclusion in the auction. Please contact Sophie Macintosh on 07975 912077, or email sophie@insideibiza.net.

ENDS