Emma Thompson and celebrity friends gathered last night for international development charity ActionAid's Call My Wine Bluff night at Lincoln's Inn, London. Guests were treated to an exclusive evening of food, merriment and wine tasting - the celebrity panel told tall tales about the names of the wines they were tasting and the guests had to determine who was telling the truth.
Amongst much hilarity Hugh Dennis's team of Sue Perkins and Tim Brook-Taylor emerged victorious, having out bluffed Emma Thompson, David Mitchell and Sean Lock. Whilst they may well have woken up with sore heads this morning it will be in the knowledge that they raised well over £180, 000 for ActionAid on the night. The vital funds will go to help ActionAid in its mission to work with poor and excluded people around the globe to eradicate poverty and injustice.
Emma Thompson said "This was an inspiring night. During the credit crunch people came to help those with no credit to crunch. I was proud of them and hopeful that these difficult times are teaching us that we are all connected and we all need to help one another. I really hope we do this event annually. As well as being very moving it raised a lot of cash and was such good fun."
Amongst the laughter and the chance to test their knowledge of wines from around the world, guests also demonstrated their generosity in the auction and raffle where lucky winners went home with prizes such as Paul McCartney’s signed guitar, a week’s holiday in a luxury villa in Majorca and a two week internship at Grazia magazine.
Event design and production was organised thanks to Fisher Productions.