Charities

The New Zealand LAM Charitable Trust   www.lam.org.nz

This trust has been set up by my good friend Bronwyn Gray as LAM affects someone in her family. So far the events that I've been able to help with have been a launch dinner for 100 guests at Point 5 Nine restaurant in Point Chevalier, Auckland in 2001. A four course wine lunch at Hotel du Vin, just south of the Bombay Hills out of Auckland in March 2006. Cooking dinner for 12 at a supporters house in the Viaduct Basin in Auckland in late 2006.

The NZ LAM Trust is a non profit organization committed to finding a cure for Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) by providing support, education, information and raising funds for scientific research. Established in Auckland in 1999, the New Zealand LAM Charitable Trust is one of a number of patient and family organisations around the world working alongside scientists, clinicians and researchers, raising awareness about this disease and helping raise funds to support research into its cause and ultimately its cure.

Leuka - Curing leukaemia in the 21st Century   www.leuka.org.uk

In 1998 I was approached by Karen Linfield who worked at the Hammersmith Hospital to see if I'd donate 2 of my cookbooks to a charity which was then called Leuka 2000. As it happened, I'd actually been a bone marrow donor to my youngest sister Tracey in 1995, and she is still alive and well and has since become a food writer - which she attributes to my marrow. Since that transplant with Tracey I'd been mulling over the idea of a unique fund-raising dinner in my head. Often I'd been one of four or five chefs at a charity dinner where I would cook just one course, and while these dinners are great, and fun, I wanted to create something unique. I talked about this with Karen and we then met with Leuka committee members Hannah Lewis and Bettina Bradfield over honey cake at Hannah's home. In that initial meeting the seeds for the annual dinner were born - it's name is 'Who's Cooking Dinner?'. In the past we have 19 top chefs and we sell 19 tables (as of 2007 we have 20 of each and we have relocated to The Four Seasons Hyde Park Corner) - then on the night, from a hat, the couplings are decided. The camaraderie in the kitchen is wonderful. The chefs are all at the top of their field, working in cramped conditions, working alongside friends and strangers. The vibe is wonderful and the food is superb. So far we've raised over £3 million and we're still going strong. All money raised on the night goes towards the haematology unit at The Catherine Lewis centre at Hammersmith Hospital - one of the worlds leading research centres.

Leukaemia & Blood Foundation of New Zealand   www.leukaemia.org.nz

This organisation is New Zealand's only not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping patients and their families with leukaemia and related blood disorders. Their activities include patient support, education, research advocacy and medical equipment - they receive no government funding. More than 1,400 people are diagnosed every year in New Zealand with these disorders. My sister had the best possible care in Australia and I want to help the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation to support patients in my home country. On June 30th 2007 we will be having a fund raising dinner based on the London event, to be held at SKYCITY. At this event, called 'SKYCITY Dining for a Difference', one of 13 world class chefs will each cook exclusively for their tables throughout the evening.

Children's Fire and Burn Trust   www.childrensfireandburntrust.org.uk

I have been a patron of the trust for many years now - having burnt myself really badly while helping my father cook dinner when I was seven. The Children's Fire and Burn Trust addresses two needs, both in the United Kingdom and internationally; the long-term rehabilitation of child burn victims and education for children about the dangers of fire and other burn and scald injuries, what to do in case of burns and how to prevent such accidents from happening.