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FCC president Neil Western (right)

Foreign Correspondents' Club drops annual Charity Ball

Decisionby the Foreign Correspondents' Club to quit organising the annual event ends 14-year formal support for Po Leung Kuk

One of Hong Kong's best-known private-members clubs and one of the city's most active charity organisations have parted company, leaving the future of a landmark date on the social calendar up in the air.

The Foreign Correspondents' Club says the "size and complexity" of its annual Charity Ball and discontent among club members that the event had become "inaccessible and distant" - a possible reference to the price of a ticket, which at the most recent ball was HK$2,888 - created the problem.

A "formula" that satisfied the club's board of governors and the organising committee could not be found.

As a result, two members of the club's governing board - Andy Chworowsky and Chris Dillon - who were responsible for organising the annual event have resigned.

In a letter to club members last week, FCC president Neil Western thanked both men and said the situation meant the club was ending its 14-year formal support for Po Leung Kuk, which had raised more than HK$100 million for the charity organisation over more than a decade.

Since 2002, the ball has been seen as the club's flagship charity event as many of the city's luxury brand names, ranging from hotels to banks, sponsored it to gain publicity.

Former top-line international singing acts in their twilight years are the usual headline acts at the balls.

This year, 1980s English pop duo Tears for Fears appeared.

Acting for members' wishes, Western said in the letter, the board had tried to include a wider membership and "ensure enhanced transparency in the management of the ball's operations", to integrate it better into the club's mainstream life.

The two governors resigned after it was seen as "challenging to find a formula that satisfies both the board and the ball's original organising group".

The Po Leung Kuk - one of the city's longest-established charity organisations - did not reply inquiries on the abrupt end of the 14-year relationship.

The FCC said it would continue to support one of the oldest charities in the city on a private and individual basis, and would appoint a new committee to ensure a "sustainable and productive charitable programme".

Dillon would only say that he wished the club "continued success in its charitable endeavours".

Chworowsky could not be reached for comment.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Private club drops popular Charity Ball
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