NEWS & EVENTS | 2005

On 13 August, ICT was fortunate enough to be able to hold a very special Summer Picnic in the Park at Cumberland Lodge in Windsor Great Park. Unfortunately, it rained, but fortunately, ICT's guests were able to move through the various rooms of Cumberland Lodge, a stunning royal estate that is usually used exclusively as a conference centre for social awareness and closed to the general public. 

ICT would not have been able to hold this event, raise awareness of our work and raise over £2500 if it was not for the incredible generosity of our host, Cumberland Lodge and those who volunteered their time, energy and talents to help ICT including: the hilarious Complimentary Complement Service who welcomed some of our lucky guests; The Candlelight Opera, who performed in period costume at the beginning of the evening; and the Andy Drysch Band who got many of ICT's guests out on the dance floor until almost midnight! 

Special thanks also to Fuller Smith and Turner PLC for providing wine for the evening and to Stephen Matthews, individual supporter and great friend to ICT, for providing the food. 

Thanks to our volunteers who prepared food, brought and cleared plates, made beds, vacuumed and generally mucked in and did all the things that staff at a royal manor would usually do! Thanks to Marianna Ware, Svetlana Makeeva, Ian Fergus, Terry Ffrench Graham and Maia Fergus-O'Grady.

Special thanks to ICT intern, Rob Lewis, who traipsed around London finding raffle prizes for the event such as theatre tickets and dinners for two (thanks to Tabernacle, Maxwell's, The Apollo Victoria Theatre, the Tricycle Theatre and others for their prize donations). 

Finally, and most importantly, thanks to everyone who came along and helped to make the night a great success. Many guests spent the night at the lodge and were served a special breakfast in the morning! Some of you even decided to become official 'Friends of ICT.' Thank you so much for your ongoing support!

Between March 11th and 20th, 28 ICT supporters cycled 350km across South India from Cochin on the Kerelan coast to the hillstation of Kodaikanal, to raise money to support our projects. Despite the heat and the hills, everyone had a fantastic time and the challenge was a resounding success. At times, it was tough and the hills sometimes felt like they went on forever, but there were many personal triumphs, lots of laughs and many newly-forged friendships. Collectively the cyclists raised over £100,000 for ICT. Many thanks to the participants (below) and to all those who sponsored them. 

For more photos and details on this trip see www.cycleindia.com.