Pictured, from left to right: James Brennan, Country Manager Hungary, REED Specialist Recruitment, Dr Albert Royaards and Countess Éva Csáky Bornemisza of the Smiling Hospital Foundation, Stephen Linfitt, Publisher, XpatLoop.com - click here for more photos

Held at the Corinthia Grand this charity initiative, kindly sponsored by REED, brought Xpats (expats & locals) together to mix and mingle whilst enjoying fine Hungarian wine, deluxe finger-food, and the Budapest Ragtime Band.

The Grand Ballroom proved to be a superb venue to socialise with an Ambassador, an American Pastor, a Hungarian holder of an O.B.E., and the President of the Irish Hungarian Business Circle, to name just a few of the many distinguished international guests.

A musical quiz game, massage demos from the Royal Spa, and the live band provided guests with entertainment and smiles.  The food went quickly, a good sign that it tasted fine, and it went down well with the award winning Wunderlich wines. Well over a hundred people joined-in, braving their way there despite the rain outside.

"Very much enjoyed the Xpatloop social event for charity, cheers, Dougie Arnott"

"Excellent occasion, the Budapest Ragtime Band are superb" Adrian Ellis, GM, Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal."

"I enjoyed myself last night. I met some very interesting and colourful people. The music was great, the events varied and I'm looking forward to the next do with great anticipation. Yours appreciatively, Andy Lee Haveland-Robinson Pg Dip. MIT"

All the money raised at the event was presented by Matt Foster of main sponsor REED, and Stephen Linfitt, the organiser of the event, to Dr Albert Royaards and Countess Éva Csáky Bornemisza, who accepted the sum on behalf of the local Smiling Hospital Foundation.

More money than ever before was raised by XpatLoop.com guests this time, exceeding the previous record of HUF 333.000,- achieved last November.

"The total amount raised was HUF 409.000,- which will be used to bring smiles to the faces of sick children throughout Hungary (in 20 hospitals nationwide). Heartfelt thanks! Wonderful evening! Wonderful host! Warm regards, also from the other part of my soul, Countess Éva," Dr Albert Royaards, President, Smiling Hospital Foundation

To round off this special occasion a good old 'tombola' was held, and the winners are:

* Keith Parker - KLM Air Ticket to Amsterdam
* Keren Hanan - Arriba Taqueria Mexican Restaurant gift
* Makovényi Anna - Caledonia Budapest gift
* Laszlo Reichel - FirstMed Centers gift
* Abe Richman - Fox Autorent gift
* John Hill - Symbol Budapest Italian Fusion Restaurant gift
* Douglas Arnott - StarLimo Hungary gift
* Alex Stemp - Gundel Restaurant gift
* Andrea Di Tonto - Trattoria Toscana Restaurant gift
* Dr. Alexander Anufriev - Gerlóczy Rooms De Lux gift
* Eugéne van Hoye - Helpers Expat Services gift
* Bernadett Hadfi - Holmes Place Hungary gift
* Alex Markus - Wikinson British Sausages gift
* Margit Batthányi-Schmidt -  Simon Skottowe gift
* András Ürögdi - KLM Air Ticket to Anywhere in Europe

Many thanks to all the event supporters including ProHome, and Brill Audiovisual, plus special thanks to:

Wunderlich Winery, Villány, which presented the following quality Hungarian wines:
Olaszrizling 2008, Cabernet Franc 2004, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Merlot 2004

Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal for providing the venue and finger-food menu:
* Cherry Tomato Filled With Crabmeat Marie Rose
* Mini Focaccia with Roast Beef and Sweet Pepper
* Grilled Zucchini with Sundried Tomato Tapenade
* Scallop Ceviche with Mango Salsa
* Foie Gras Terrine on Brioche

"It was a pleasure to sponsor the Xpatloop.com charity event in aid of the Smiling Hospital Foundation. Thanks to everyone that came along and filled the ballroom at the Corinthia Royal in downtown Budapest. All at REED enjoyed the wine, food and good company, we definitely look forward to supporting Xpat events in future."  - James Brennan, Country Manager Hungary, REED Specialist Recruitment