People in Warwick will be hoping to paint the town pink in the New Year at an inaugural fundraising Gala Dinner.
A Touch of Pink, on February 7th, is set to raise thousands of pounds for The Esther Project which, the organisers say, promises to be ‘a night of heart, hope and unforgettable moments.’
The Leamington-based CiC was established by Lianne Kirkman in 2023 – her mission, to create a nurturing and empowering community where every woman can heal, grow and reach their future potential. It does this through a range of services, including counselling, one-on-one support, creative activities, employability opportunities, and drop-in sessions.
Esther House – a seven-bed supported living accommodation, opens its doors for vulnerable women who need a safe space to recover.
Lianne said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be organising our very first fundraising gala dinner – an opportunity for our supporters to come together and truly help elevate our fundraising efforts.
“We have been blown away by the incredible generosity shown so far, from our event sponsors to everyone who has donated auction lots and raffle prizes. Their support is what makes a night like this possible, and it’s shaping up to be one we will never forget.
“We’ve set an ambitious fundraising target for this event because the need is great. Every pound raised will help strengthen the work we do in creating safe spaces and opportunities for women in our Esther community – women overcoming trauma, social or economic disadvantage, and the barriers that stand in the way of thriving and building independent, fulfilling lives.
“This gala is more than a celebration; it’s a step towards real, lasting change, and we are so grateful to everyone standing with us.”
The full evening of entertainment, at Kings High School, is being compered by award-winning host and broadcaster Kirsty Leahy of KLP, and includes live music from all-female electric-acoustic trio String Infusion and talented singer songwriter Shanade Morrow. Shanade also leads regular lyric-writing, poetry and singing lessons at The Esther House Monday drop-in sessions.
Also helping to keep the guests entertained throughout the evening will be Angus Baskerville, wowing with his table magic – and DJ James Farmer will see the night out with plenty of dancefloor fillers.
Highlights of the evening also include the chance to get your photo taken wearing the Queen Cape, handmade by the Esther ladies earlier this year and now touring the area to raise awareness. The impressive patchwork is made up of more than 1,000 hand-stitched hearts and flowers and took over six months to complete.
Lianne said: “Piece by piece, these crocheted creations have been joined to form a spectacular cape, one truly fit for a Queen. In modern slang, ‘Queen’ is a term of empowerment, admiration and respect, often referring to someone who exudes confidence, strength, and excellence.
“This cape is more than an artwork; it is a bold symbol of what’s possible when women lift each other up, share their journeys, and rediscover their power.”
There will also be the chance to see the first showing of an exclusive photographic exhibition by headline sponsor Karen Massey Photography. The Behind Closed Doors collection aims to create a visual narrative which brings awareness to the lived realities of survivors, while preserving their dignity and truth.
Karen said: “The approach was shaped in close collaboration with the charity and, most importantly, with the women themselves. Together, we agreed that the most honest way to share their stories was through re-enactment.
“Each woman chose to represent her own experience and was deeply involved in how it was portrayed. Every shoot was handled with great care, with professionals on hand to support the wellbeing of everyone involved.”
A host of auction and raffle items have been donated by businesses including a stunning 1.57 carat diamond ring worth more than £3k, courtesy of Camilla Jones Jewellers in Alcester. The business is also kindly gifting a silver heart pendant to each of the Esther ladies who took park in the photoshoot.
Some of the businesses supporting services in kind on the evening include Vibe Immersive, Table Art, Box Factory and PSL Lighting. See website for full list of businesses supporting the auction and raffle.
Other headline sponsors of the event are The Paul Rigby Group and Pentlands Accountants, Chalmers News PR and The Leader Marketing Partnership in Henley-in-Arden.
Lianne added: “This powerful event offers a rare, real, and raw glimpse into the lives of the women we support, their courageous journeys, and the complex paths that lead them to us. It’s more than a dinner – it’s a call to action, a chance to understand why systemic change is urgently needed and how your presence can make a difference.
“As an attendee, you’ll not only be moved by the stories shared but also empowered to take part in creating meaningful impact.”
Tickets cost £99 each or a table of ten for £950, and are available to book HERE. Further information about sponsorship packages is also available here or by getting in touch with kerry@theestherproject.co.uk.
Donations can be made HERE.
