A spectacular event was recently held at the historic Hampton Court in London, former home of King Henry VIII, bringing together supporters of Care for Children from around the world. The evening was honoured by the presence of HRH Prince Michael of Kent, whose unwavering support made the event not only possible, but a tremendous success.

Guests gathered in the grand setting of Hampton Court, where they enjoyed an evening of connection, entertainment, and heartfelt generosity. HRH Prince Michael spoke passionately about the transformative impact of family-based care for orphans and vulnerable children, emphasising the importance of Care for Children's mission.

The evening's entertainment included actors portraying Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, adding a historical touch to the setting of Hampton Court. Guests were also treated to a performance by singers from the West End production SIX: The Musical, the internationally acclaimed show that offers a modern retelling of the lives of Henry VIII's six wives.

We were delighted that Mr Narek Mkrtchyan, the Armenian Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, was able to attend. Addressing the guests he introduced Care for Children's partnership with the Armenian government, which commenced in 2023, and explained how just over 45% of children living in institutions across Armenia are now in local loving families.

"Our partnership with Care for Children has provided us with fresh inspiration and motivation to enhance our policies, drawing from the expertise and experience of our partners (Care for Children). The recent agreement with Care for Children is a key step in promoting family-based care as a better solution for Armenia and our region. Armenia is poised to lead in supporting to spread the knowledge of family-based care to reform systems across the Middle East."

The Christmas dinner at Hampton Court successfully raised vital funds while also highlighting the impact of working together towards a common goal. By continuing to collaborate, we can help provide vulnerable children with the care and stability of a family - a foundation that supports their growth and development.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our royal patron, HRH Prince Michael of Kent, for his generous support. We would also like to thank all our guests for their incredible generosity. Their support plays a vital role in enabling us to continue our work of transforming the lives of orphans and vulnerable children across the world.