Penta charity evening raises 47K for DebRA

With the help and generosity of staff, their friends and families, along with professional partners, suppliers and local businesses, specialist ICT staffing company Penta Consulting raised an amazing 47K at a recent charity event. The fundraising evening, held at Epsom Downs Racecourse, was in support of employee Matt Boyle whose son Max was born with a very rare skin condition, EB (Epidermolysis Bullosa). DebRA, the only charity providing specialist care and help for those with EB, receives no funding from the Government and is therefore heavily reliant on donations.

Born on July 24 2006, with a fatal form of EB, Max faced increasing pain during his short life. With DebRA's help, Max's loving parents Matt and Aliza were able to give him the best life possible, managing his pain as EB took over his body. Sadly, nothing could stop the devastating internal and external effects of EB and, aged seven months, Max's tiny body succumbed to EB and he died at home with his family close to him.

Jackie Denyer an experienced EB nurse and Gilly Pigott who has first hand experience of the devastation EB causes spoke on behalf of DebRA and guests were left in no doubt about the difference DebRA can make and the need to give generously.

Star turns enjoyed by the 250 guests included Bobby Davro in cabaret, David Redfearn magician to the stars and live music from The Hustle. In addition there was an incredibly successful live auction which included exclusive sporting memorabilia as well as a cruise donated by Royal Caribbean along with some other fantastic items. Local restaurants really got behind the event with Ciao Italia in Banstead donating all the wine for the evening, Tony Tobin proprietor of Post Restaurant offering to cook a dinner party of a lifetime and the highest bid of the evening was for a gastronomic evening at Le Raj in Epsom hosted by Bobby Davro which raised ten thousand pounds!

Commenting on the evening, Matt Boyle said, It was a wonderful night for me and my family. We had a target of raising 20K but we more than doubled this figure because everyone was just so incredibly generous.

The money raised will help fund DebRA's wide ranging research programmes, specialist nurses and a social welfare team. John Dart, Director of DebRA, said that this donation will make an enormous difference to DebRA's future plans.

Last October, over 20 members of staff also completed the Great South Run - raising a further 10,000.