FPA summer reception 2009

The FPA annual summer reception 2009 was kindly hosted by Baroness Gould of Potternewton, on 16 June at the House of Lords. Around 200 invited guests attended, including representatives from the voluntary, public and private sectors, MPs, Peers and celebrities, who all enjoyed the warm weather and the view from the House of Lords terrace.

The reception included speeches from Lady Gould, Julie Bentley and our special guest speaker, television presenter Davina McCall who spoke passionately about sex and relationships education.

Jo Brand then presented prize draw winner Dr Nanette Pearson with a much coveted House of Lords bottle of wine and a copy of the new FPA book Speakeasy: talking with your children about growing up signed by Davina McCall.

As well as hearing from celebrity guest speakers the reception was also an opportunity for colleagues and politicians to find out more about FPA fundraising, campaigning, information and project work from FPA staff themselves.

Celebrity guests enjoy the evening. Left to right, Jo Brand, comedian; Dr David Bull, broadcaster and FPA patron; Davina McCall, television presenter and the evening’s special guest speaker; Beverley Turner, author, presenter and FPA patron.

Specially invited guests enjoy the FPA summer reception and fabulous views across the Thames.

FPA Speakeasy manager, David Kesterton and the evening’s guest speaker, Davina McCall, television presenter.

Reception host, Baroness Gould of Potternewton’s welcoming speech to reception guests.

Julie Bentley, Chief Executive FPA, reflects on the events of the last year.

Andrew Neather, the 2009 winner of the FPA Rosemary Goodchild Award for excellence in journalism with special guests. Left to right: Julie Bentley, Chief Executive FPA; Marc Goodchild, Award judge and son of Rosemary Goodchild; Davina McCall guest speaker and television presenter; Andrew Neather from the London Evening Standard, the 2009 winner of FPA Rosemary Goodchild Award for excellence in journalism.