The New Zealand, Australian and British chambers of commerce will host a rugby charity dinner Tuesday, with a World Cup-winning coach and a Korean Olympian among the guest speakers.
The 2015 Rugby World Cup Charity Dinner will feature keynote addresses by Graham Henry, coach of the 2011 Rugby World Cup-winning New Zealand All Blacks, and Olympic gold medalist Chang Mi-ran, who will speak on sporting excellence.
The dinner will generate funds for three charities ― Helping Hands Korea, Jeon Jin Sang Clinic and Songjukwon Orphanage -― as well as the development of local sport, and aims to promote rugby as a global sport ahead of the Rugby World Cup, which runs from Sept. 18 to Nov. 1.
“Having Graham Henry and Chang Mi-ran speak at our charity dinner is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Kiwi Chamber chairman Simon Walsh. “We expect well over 300 people from the local community to take part in this special night to remember.”
“Rugby is an important social and cultural factor that brings the Commonwealth chambers together and AustCham is pleased to be a supporter and a participant in this unique event,” said Australian Chamber of Commerce chairman Graham Dodds.
Auction and raffle prizes will include VIP tickets to the opening ceremony and the England vs. Fiji match, along with the use of a new Land Rover, hotel vouchers and signed sporting memorabilia.
Host nation England will invite 40 children from around the world to represent their countries at the World Cup. Among them one Korean child will carry out a match ball for the Uruguay vs. Fiji match, with flight tickets paid for by Societe Generale.
“This will be a unique evening to celebrate the best of what the Commonwealth chambers have to offer,” said British Chamber of Commerce Korea chairman Michael Reed.
A menu inspired by Australian food and New Zealand wine will be served at the event.
The event will be held at JW Marriott Banpo’s Grand Ballroom. For tables and tickets, visit www.bcck.or.kr or www.kiwichamber.com.
(paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)
