The event has long supported the Hungarian Red Cross and UNICEF Hungary, happy to place them in the spotlight to raise awareness and funds for their work in Hungary. A new charity featured this year was Bátor Tábor, which provides life-changing experiences to seriously ill kids through camps (the name loosely translates as Camp Courageous), hospital and school outreach programs and online activities.
“It was a great pleasure to be at the Bonfire Night event; I could meet and talk to some amazing people,” said Andrea Szabó, fundraising director for the foundation that runs Bátor Tábor. “It was so nice to see the willingness of guests to support social causes in Hungary. As a result, I am already in touch with potential new supporters and donors; thanks a lot for everything.”
As XpatLoop.com says in its online event report, a mix of nationalities attended, including diplomats from the British, Canadian, U.S. and other embassies. Live music was provided by Fruzsi and party group Just Show Band, with DJ Tony spinning the discs. The Eleven Dance Group performed a number of choreographies, with an additional show-stopping drag performance by Valerie Divine. The master of ceremonies was Henry Scullion, with TV celebrity Zsuzsa Demcsák a welcome return guest to help run the evening’s key charity element: the Live Auction.
The Bonfire Night-themed celebration also marks the birthday of expat portal XpatLoop. As usual, plenty of food and drink was available, including offerings from some of Budapest’s leading restaurants and hotels and vintners across the country.
“It was a true pleasure to attend this year’s Bonfire Night event and partake in the festivities alongside a robust expat community,” said Juwan Woods of the U.S. Embassy, just one of several guests from the Budapest diplomatic corps in attendance.
“XpatLoop.com brought together an amazing group to support great causes, and I was happy to be a part of it. Congrats to XpatLoop on hitting its 24-year anniversary; here’s to 24 more!” Woods added.
Antónia Mészáros, executive director of UNICEF Hungary, greatly appreciated the support shown at the gala. “Thank you to everyone who participated in the raffle,” she said. “Without such generous donors, we wouldn’t be able to respond so swiftly in emergency crises or sustain our work in the long term.”
She also had some kind words for Stephen Linfitt, the publisher of XpatLoop.com and the inspiration behind the Bonfire Night and St. George fundraising parties. The partnership between UNICEF and XpatLoop went back 15 years, she said.
“He is one of our most dedicated UNICEF Champions and wholeheartedly supports our mission to help the world’s most vulnerable children. […] UNICEF Hungary is deeply moved and grateful for Stephen’s active involvement in bringing people together to raise charity funds and awareness. As children face ever-growing challenges, we appreciate his loyal support year after year.”
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of November 29, 2024.
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