Celebrity Chef Richard Corrigan has announced that he will be offering one frontline healthcare worker a luxury wedding at his 18th century estate, Virginia Park Lodge. Those wanting to be in with a chance of winning this once-in-a-lifetime prize can simply apply or nominate a loved one via the Virginia Park Lodge website alongside a €10 donation to the campaign’s charity partner, St Vincent de Paul Ireland, in aid of their latest emergency fundraising appeal.
St Vincent de Paul’s National President, Kieran Stafford, commented:
“This is a most welcome initiative from Richard and his family at this time. We are extremely grateful to him and his team for providing the public with another opportunity to show their support for frontline workers who have done so much during Covid-19 and at the same time make a contribution to SVP.
We badly need funds at this time with the main sources of our income closed off - but support like this helps ensure that we can carry on providing help to the thousands who contact us by phone and online.
The public has been extremely generous to us in the past and hopefully they will again through this fantastic initiative.”
The stunning wedding venue, set on 100 acres of woodland, has partnered with some of Ireland’s finest wedding purveyors to ensure the day is as special and memorable as possible. Internationally renowned wedding specialist, Collette O’Leary of Elegant Events, has offered up her services for the initiative and will be responsible for the planning and styling of the wedding.
Corrigan will work closely with the couple to create a bespoke menu which he will execute on the big day. As well as the food, matching wines, a champagne reception and an overnight stay in Virginia Park Lodge’s luxurious wedding suite. Suppliers from across the country have agreed to support the #CorrigansVowToTheFrontline initiative with the below already confirmed with further partners, including a special music performance, to be announced in due course.
● Wine from Le Caveau
● Makeup by award-winning Michele Field and Paula Callan
● Hair by celebrity stylist Norma Jean
● Wedding cake by Cove Cake Design
● Joeanna Caffrey Flowers
● Wedding invites and stationary from Appleberry Press
● Photography by Dasha Caffrey
The application process will be open for 8 weeks. Richard will announce the lucky winner and the total amount raised for St Vincent De Paul via Instagram soon after.
Richard Corrigan noted: “When Covid-19 hit Ireland and the U.K eight weeks ago our whole world changed. We were forced to shut down our businesses without the knowledge of when we’d reopen. I’ve always had the utmost respect and admiration for anyone working for our public healthcaren service. This initiative isn’t a scratch on the vital work our frontline workers are doing during this pandemic, however, I wanted to offer a token of our appreciation to those engaged (or soon to be), as well as raising crucial funds for St Vincent De Paul’s emergency appeal.”
Please follow the below steps to nominate yourself or a loved one: