Royal Wedding

There are some things that we Brits do really well. When it comes to pageantry we are surely the world leaders, and so is knowing how to have a party. Put the two together and the result is absolutely amazing.

Several months ago, when the Royal Wedding was announced, a few of us here in Sao Paulo decided to get together to watch it. A friend here has the technology to not only get the BBC but also to be able to record it, so the idea was hatched that we would drink champagne, have fun and critique the event.

Then, more people heard about the idea, and so it began to snowball. The guest list grew and another friend, who as it turns out wasn’t even in Brazil for the great day, had the idea of turning it into a fundraiser for one of our favourite local charities.

The party now began to get some serious traction. The guest list grew and grew. Tables would have to be hired, then crockery, glasses and silverware. What about flowers, banners, flags and bunting? Everyone contributed. Maids, drivers and bodyguards were drafted to help and all of a sudden, it was the hottest ticket in town.

The charity we were supporting is called ACER. (Check out www.acerbrasil.org.br).

In English, it is the Association for Children at Risk, and is run by a fabulous English guy here. The aim of the charity is to help families by promoting dignity, good health and hygiene. They help in the region of 3,000 people and their reach is expanding all the time. In a country where there is little in the way of Government support, this sort of charity is absolutely indispensible.

Twice a year they hold bazaars, and the families can buy very inexpensive household items that have been donated. Some of the basic essentials of life that we take for granted, such as towels and blankets, cooking pots and plates, are for many families, out of reach because of the high cost of living here. Enabling people to buy these items promotes all of the above aims. They enhance their dignity because they are buying items themselves (rather than just receiving charitable hand outs) and thereby have the sense that they are providing for their families. Something simple such as each family member having their own towel promotes the dual aims of health and hygiene. And, for children that often have to sleep in the same bed as their siblings, to have their own personal sheet or blanket is an absolute necessity.

So, the idea was born that everyone coming to the wedding party would bring a wedding gift of a donation to the bazaar. In the end, we had a room full of pots and pans, sheets and blankets, children’s toys and clothes. It truly was amazing.

Now, a couple of days before the event, the hostess had a phone call to ask whether she would be willing to allow the Brazilian press to come and film us having our party. More great publicity for the charity so of course the answer was “yes”.

As it turned out, the three main TV stations all sent crews and how they didn’t all fall over themselves and more to the point how we didn’t all fall over the wires, lights and cameras is a minor miracle.

They were interviewing everyone that could speak Portuguese - lucky escape there I thought. In fact, I heard that the TV crews were so keen to cover the wedding; they had telephoned the British Consulate to ask for the names of anyone in the British community that could speak really good Portuguese. They were contacting these people and asking them if they could turn up at 5 o’clock in the morning to interview people as the wedding was going out live from London. Everyone I spoke to gave an emphatic “No”. We all compared notes afterwards and at 5 o’clock in the morning we were in pajamas with a cup of tea and a box of hankies at the ready. TV crews were definitely not wanted.

The great day arrived and the house looked beautiful. Bunting was hanging everywhere and the champagne was on ice. Everyone was encouraged to dress as if to go to a wedding, and tiaras, hats and fascinators were the order of the day.

I have to say that it was a truly fabulous event, and against the backdrop of very happy occasion in London, everyone had a good time.

Even without realizing it, the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have also contributed to this charity. It seems that they received a Wedding gift of a unique piece of jewellery, crafted by a local Brazilian jeweler. In keeping with their wishes that charities benefit from their marriage, this piece has been donated to the ACER charity, and in October, when we hold our main fundraiser for the year, we will auction the brooch and the proceeds will be donated to ACER.

How fitting.