A business community is coming together for a virtual Christmas charity fundraiser – despite lockdown restrictions which have kept pubs and venues in the city almost permanently shut since the start of the pandemic.
The festive “Suits and Vinyl” disco – which will be broadcast live on Facebook and Zoom – is the latest in a string of Leicester lockdown charity events which have raised more than £11,600 this year, and rising.
The party takes place tomorrow night and is being backed by dozens of business leaders from across Leicester and Leicestershire. Pre-Covid the organisers held a handful of events at Leicester’s Queen of Bradgate pub, but since March the city has faced the most severe lockdown restrictions in Britain.
Leicester business consultant Ian Guyler, who is helping run the night, said the amount of support reflected how close the area’s business community was, lockdown or no lockdown.
Money raised will go to three charities – the Bodie Hodges Foundation (which supports bereaved families), kids creative charity Soft Touch Arts and Hope against Cancer.
Tunes on the night will be chosen by everyone who makes a £50 donation and mixed by city businessman and DJ Matt Moore with help from Bodie’s dad Nick Hodges. VIP sponsors who chip in £250 get to choose three songs.
Ian said: “It’s promising to be another night to remember of socially distanced dancing.
“Matt Moore and Nick Hodges’ preparations are gathering pace but we need all the record choices ASAP – if you’ve not registered your choice please post it on The Suits and Vinyl Leicester Facebook page and Holly Wandless our marketing guru will pick them all up.
“There’s plenty of space available – otherwise it will be all my old punk records and of course my old favourite Gordon is a Moron!”
To support the event, search for Virgin Money Suits and Vinyl or click here.
During the year the city and county’s business leaders have joined up online for everything from virtual horse-racing to Bundesliga fantasy football, online bingo and even a virtual treasure hunt around Leicester.
Backers for the Christmas party so far include Associate Events, which organises Leicester Business Festival, Pick Everard, Nelsons law firm, Cambridge and Counties Bank, wealth management advisors Mattioli Woods and the British Beer and Pub Association – among others.
