No Time To Wait

Welcome to ECHC's No Time to Wait Ball

Tonight, we’re shining a light on the mental health crisis currently facing children and their families. 

Research commissioned by ECHC highlights that 59% of families in Scotland have a child who has experienced a mental health concern at some point in their life.  This impacts not just the child but the whole family, who feel they have nowhere to turn, no one to support their child and no one to support them.  

We believe this is not right and we are determined to change it. By joining us tonight, you can be part of the solution.

The Haven, ECHC’s new community based drop-in service opened in Tranent on 18 September and is now supporting a significant number of families from the local area. The service is a two year pilot with the ultimate ambition of rolling it out across Edinburgh and the Lothians – to reach every child and every family who needs us.

We can’t achieve this without funding, so tonight, we’re asking you to play your part in making this a reality.  This is your chance to help change futures. With your support, we can make a huge impact on so many young lives.

When it comes to children’s mental health, there is no time to wait. Every child needs us. Every child needs you. Thank you.

– Roslyn Neely, CEO

Meet Your Host - JJ Chalmers

JJ is a former Royal Marine Commando who sustained life-changing injuries in a bomb blast in Afghanistan in 2011. In 2014, he became a gold medallist at the Invictus Games – a global sporting event for wounded, injured and sick service personnel.

You’ll now know him from his work as a TV Presenter, fronting coverage of both the Olympics and Paralympics for the BBC and Channel 4, as well as state occasions such as the Coronation and Trooping of the Colour. You may also have seen him on a little-known programme called Strictly Come Dancing!

Order of Events

19:00 – Drinks reception

19:15 – Guests called for dinner

20:00 – Starter is served

20:40 – Main course is served

21:40 – Dessert and coffee served

23:00 – Entertainment

00:00 – DJ

01:00 – Carriages

Win a Diamond

Tonight, one lucky winner will take home a beautifully eternal diamond. It could be you!

This stunning piece was designed, handcrafted and donated by the generous Alicia J Diamonds. 

This exquisite 18k white gold necklace has seventy round diamonds, 1.3 carat total and is worth over £3,500.

To be in with a chance of winning, make sure you choose a candy watch from one of our volunteers!

The suggested donation is £20.

Manic Minute - Scavenger Hunt

Our host will invite four lucky guests to test their scavenging skills in a minute of pure mayhem! For a suggested donation of £20, you could walk away with £1000 cash – courtesy of Wallace White Accountants.

Look out for our volunteers coming round with heart decorations to be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize.

Could this be your lucky night to race against the clock?

Instant Win

Make a suggested donation of £20 in the envelope at your place setting to enter our champagne raffle and get ready to pop some fizz!

Suggested donation is £20.

Lot 1. Weekend Trip for two at any British Superbikes 2024

This money can’t buy prize gives you and one other a British Super Bikes experience like no other.  

Enjoy a weekend pass to any BSB 2024 event with a meet and greet with champion racer Lewis Rollo and his team, together with a pit walk to meet other teams. You’ll also get two nights’ accommodation thrown in. 

Kicking off in April 2024 in Northern Spain, the 11 round BSB season returns to the UK for the traditional May Bank Holiday event at Oulton Park, ahead of the first of two outings to Donington Park. Knockhill maintains its familiar June date before a visit to Snertterton in July and the much-anticipated Brands Hatch summer spectacular two weeks later.  

If you feel the need for speed, then this is the prize for you!  

T&Cs 

*Selected date to be mutually agreed with Rollo Developments and dependent on availability. 

*Accommodation will be covered within a three or four-star rating. 

*Travel not included. 

Kindly donated by Rollo Developments & Aprilia.

Please note, all prizes are offered in good faith and are non-refundable under any circumstance; see general terms for further information.

Lot 2. Unique ‘money can’t buy’ experience for two at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is synonymous with Edinburgh and this incredible package will let you experience it like never before. It truly is a ‘money can’t buy’ experience.  

You and a guest will get to enter the iconic Edinburgh Castle over the infamous drawbridge and through the VIP Coal Yard entrance – so secret most people have no idea it even exists.  

You’ll get to enjoy a backstage tour of the castle, experiencing it in eerie quiet after closing time.  

After your tour, you’ll walk up towards the one o‘clock gun with panoramic views across the city. As you watch the sun set over The Forth, you’ll get to experience something truly unforgettable – the spinetingling ‘Big Blow’. This really is something special – a truly once in a lifetime experience where you’ll witness over 300 pipers and drummers playing en masse ahead of the evening’s magical performance. It’ll be a proper ‘hairs on the back of the neck’ moment and is usually kept intentionally private.  

Once you’ve recovered, you will get to meet and chat with the performers and take as many pictures as you like.

You will then make your way, via Fast Track access, to your premier padded seats – looking directly at the Castle, for the evening’s breathtaking performance.  

T&Cs 

*The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo runs every night from 2nd – 24th August 2024 

*You must claim your prize by 31 March 2024.

*Performance date to be arranged by mutual agreement with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.  

Kindly donated by the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Please note, all prizes are offered in good faith and are non-refundable under any circumstance; see general terms for further information.

Lot 3. 'Bear Tree House', designed and created by JJ Chalmers and Kev Paxton, presenters of BBC Money for Nothing

This very special lot is a totally unique piece designed and created by our multi-talented host, JJ Chalmers, together with fellow BBC Money for Nothing star, Kev Paxton of ArtFe Metal Work Sculpture Art.

During the national lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, JJ’s safe haven was an oak tree in his local park. The ancient tree provided much needed comfort and solace during such a strange and uncertain time and has given inspiration for JJ and Kev’s one-off piece.

“The Bear Tree” features the famous Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity bear swinging from a tree, created by ArtFe, in collaboration with JJ Chalmers. All materials have been salvaged. The branches are rebar and the leaves have been made from industrial racking. The trunk is made from driftwood foraged by JJ and sculpted to fit the piece.

This intricate wrought iron and driftwood creation would provide a unique talking point in your home.

Kindly donated by JJ Chalmers and Kev Paxton. 

Please note, all prizes are offered in good faith and are non-refundable under any circumstance; see general terms for further information.

Lot 4. Seven nights in a Tuscan Villa for 8 and Chef for an Evening and £1000 towards flight costs

With breathtaking views of the majestic Cortonesian Mountains and valley, this villa stay for eight is like no other.  

Your home for seven nights will be a gorgeous four-bedroom villa situated in the countryside near the quintessential Tuscan town of Cortona. Here, Italian period features combine with modern amenities, including a stunning private pool surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens.

No visit to Italy is complete without savoring their famous cuisine. Fresh produce will be provided for you to enjoy in the outdoor alfresco area, and an in-house culinary delight will be served up for dinner one evening by your very own chef. This delectable banquet, inspired by the finest cuisine in the world, will leave you and your loved ones in total food heaven, savoured in an equally heavenly and picturesque setting.

After spending some days lazing by the pool, take a visit to the town to uncover its rich Roman history and appreciate its landscapes, artistic legacy and infectious Italian culture. 

We’ll even throw in £1000 towards the cost of flights.

T&Cs 

*Valid for 12 months, subject to availability.  

*In-house chef dinner is for one night only. 

*Images are illustrative and your villa may not be the same as those pictured.  

*Flights and transfers not included.  

*There is an additional upgrade fee for July & August of £1,000. 

This item has a reserve which will be deducted from the funds transferred to the beneficiary of this auction. 

Lot 5. Fine dining experience for ten in your own home with Michelin star chef Craig Sandle and Kevin Sutherland, with paired wines from Valvona & Crolla

Enjoy a fine dining experience for 10 guests in the comfort of your own home. Perfect for a celebration or a relaxing evening with friends. A four-course meal with canapes, accompanied by Italian wine carefully chosen by Philip Contini of Valvona & Crolla.  

The meal will be prepared and served by chefs Craig Sandle and Kevin Sutherland. Craig – former Head Chef of Michelin-starred Restaurant Number One and more recently the Executive Chef of Galvin Restaurants at The Waldorf Astoria – is joining forces with Kevin to create this special evening just for you. Their food is inspired by local seasonal Scottish produce from which they look forward to designing the menu with the winning bidder. 

Kindly donated by Craig Sandle, Kevin Sutherland, Bakkavor & Valvona & Crolla.

Please note, all prizes are offered in good faith and are non-refundable under any circumstance; see general terms for further information.