FCC charity extravaganza: partying in a good cause

Tintin, in his navy jumper and tan breeches, was pulling a rickshaw. Emily Dickinson greeted guests in her classic black dress. And the BBC’s Kate Adie was running around with her microphone.

The FCC community turned out in full force – and full fancy dress – on March 16, 2019, for the Charity Fundraiser On Assignment: Yesteryear’s Foreign Correspondent. There was a profusion of retro cheongsam, trench coats, safari suits and fedoras, many with a “press card” tucked in the rim.

Even the FCC staff, who donated their time, dressed up, joined in the dancing and had a blast.  “Any member who hasn’t been to a Club-wide party like On Assignment missed the FCC at its best,” said Douglas Wong. “All thanks to the hard work of a volunteer committee and our fantastic staff, ably facilitated by our fantastic new general manager Didier.”

Doug explained his costume as Tintin, “the first journalist hero I followed before I really knew what journalism was about”. “The party was a celebration of yesteryear’s and tomorrow’s courageous correspondents,” Doug continued. “Glasses were raised to absent friends, and making new ones.”

Each venue of the Club was transformed into a different global hotspot. The Main Bar gave tribute to some of Asia’s old warzones, with street food from Korea to Vietnam. It rocked to the sounds of Crimes Against Pop.

At the “Latin” Main Dining Room, Chris Polanco, DJ Perez and salsa dancers led the crowd through seductive dance moves, while Cuban café snacks were served on The Verandah.

Sandbags lined the stairs down to Bert’s, which was turned into a Beirut dug-out bar, with waitresses in Middle-Eastern dress and chefs carving fresh shawarma. Sybil Thomas sang sultry old-school tunes, while the Don’t Panic Band was a big hit with dancers tightly packed in front of the stage.

“It was a great party. We really enjoyed it. Everyone involved did a tremendous job and the Club looked fantastic,” said Jim Gould, dressed like a 1930s BBC newsreader.

In total, more than $250,000 was raised via the raffle, auction, items sold on the night and personal sponsorship. Thanks to revelers’ generosity, 25 refugee or asylum-seeking children will be funded for three full years of early education in Hong Kong.

* FCC members who wish to sponsor a child from Keeping Kids in Kindergarten can still do so by contacting the Front Office on 852-2521 1511.