RHET to host first fundraising Gala Dinner

The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) will hold their first fundraising Gala Dinner on Friday 21 February 2020, in celebration of their 21st birthday.

RHET's purpose is to bring farming and the working countryside and its practices to life for young people. The organisation works with volunteers to provide free educational activities and experiential learning opportunities for Scotland’s children,  arranging farm visits and classroom education and providing teacher training and educational resources.

The Gala Dinner will raise funds to continue and expand RHET's work. The evening will treat guests to a three course meal of delicious Scottish produce, much of which will have been produced by RHET volunteer farmers and will be expertly prepared by the chef from Saltire Hospitality, entertainment from farmer, comedian and compere Jim Smith, as well as music and pipers, and last but not least, live and silent auctions with dozens of unique and exciting prizes and experiences. There will also be a few additional surprises on the night!

The auction, in particular, will be a showstopper, including a number of ‘money can’t buy’ items such as ‘Curly Sue’ the Highland Cow, made by Kev Paxton at ArtFe which travelled around Scotland with George Lawrie on the RHET Tractor Run this summer. Individuals or businesses able to contribute prizes or support the event through gifts in kind, sponsorship or goodie bag donations are encouraged to get in touch as soon as possible.

Katrina Barclay, RHET Executive Officer, said:

"A Gala Dinner like this is a first for RHET and we are so excited. I am determined that our guests will enjoy an evening with a difference that will truly entertain, as well as providing a wonderful Scottish dining experience. Fundraising is key to any event like this, but so too is ensuring that our guests have a fantastic evening and go away feeling as though their donation was thoroughly worthwhile.

"If you can’t make it along that night, never fear, you can still bid on the auction prizes. Social media is going to be absolutely key in helping us to spread the word and fundraise for the dinner and so please do keep an eye on that over coming weeks to find various fun ways you can get involved.

"We are also still seeking auction prizes and other commercial support to help with our fundraising goals and so if you have anything you can contribute, I should be delighted to hear from you. Everything we raise will be used across the entire RHET national network.

"The next generation is critical to Scotland and so the more we can work together to give them a deeper understanding of farming and food production, the more that rural Scotland will continue to get the recognition it deserves. We’d love you to support us in that aim in whatever way you can."

The Gala Dinner will take place in the Lowland Hall, Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, on Friday 21 February and tickets are on sale now from https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/RHETGALA21 for more information visit https://www.rhet.org.uk/blog/posts/celebrating-our-21st-birthday-on-21-february-2020/ or email rhetgala@rhass.org.uk.