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HONOUR: From left - 'The Voice's' managing director Paulette Simpson, JN Bank's Leon Mitchell and Usain Bolt, who was presented with a commemorative citation (image credit: Ken Passley)

THIS TIME last week, readers, the sports world, politicians and personalities direct from Jamaica as well as London joined The Voice and JN Bank in welcoming the incomparable Usain Bolt and his coach Glen Mills to the capital and your emails of thanks have been pouring-in ever since.

Dubbed #BoltMillsLondon on social media, posts about the event trended on Twitter in London.

Guests enjoyed a sumptuous three-course meal before bidding on top-tier prizes such as Bolt's personal spikes and other memorabilia donated by the star athlete, the Premier League and Ethiopian Airlines to name a few. Proceeds from each bid went to the Racers charity, directly benefitting future athletes who train at Bolt's club in Jamaica.

Host Colin Jackson, The Voice's sports editor Rodney Hinds and Leon Hamilton of JN Bank were among those who took to the stage to say a few words about Bolt and present him with some commemorative tokens to keep ahead of his retirement next month.

Here are some of the kind words you shared with us about the experience:

It was very good - I love the fact that I had the opportunity to get dressed-up and I was in the house with legends! The venue was spectacular – the food was very nice. I’m glad I was able to be there and see my team mates and other people from the athletics world.
PERRI SHAKES-DRAYON, ATHLETE

A fantastic event for a great cause proudly showcasing some of Jamaica’s exports. Another example of The FA and The Voice working hand in hand.
DANNY LYNCH, THE FA

Sunday evening was spectacular, terrific event!
LORD WHITBY

I thought the night was excellent in terms of organisation and attention to detail. No one in the building came across as having super-star status – what a credit they [Usain Bolt and Glen Mills] are to people who have achieved such a lot and still remain humble.
ERROL MCKELLAR, PROSTATE CANCER UK AMBASSADOR

Thank you so much to The Voice for a wonderful time at the Usain Bolt event. My mother and friends were really thrilled with the evening. She will remember this night for a very long time.
TONY FAIRWEATHER, FAIRWEATHER PRODUCTIONS

It was fantastic – it was really for my son, he’s 15. It was an opportunity for him to be in the presence of Usain Bolt ...something to inspire him. It was a lovely evening, the auction was fantastic - well done to The Voice.
JUDIE REGIS, DRIVE SAFE 4 LIFE ACADEMY

It was very engaging, a very well-organised fundraising charity gala dinner. He [Usain Bolt] was very gracious in coming round to everybody’s tables – that’s a great coup.
LORNA HOLDER, TUAREG PRODUCTIONS

I just had to write and extend my wishes of congratulations on the fantastic charity event hosted in honour of Dr. The Hon. coach Glen Mills and Dr. the Hon. Usain Bolt. I am sure that in your post event reviews you may have identified periods which could have been better but this was not evident in my opinion. I cannot express my thorough joyfulless throughout the whole evening. Colin Jackson delivered a flawless contribution along with all the ceremony hosts. I felt a renewed since of pride as your organisation delivered an opportunity for our community professionals to celebrate our successes in an environment fitting to our social standing. I applaud you wholeheartedly. Thank you for a great moment in our history, which I am so pleased I was part of.
MARK LANCASTER, GMAX TRACKSTARS
 
I would just like to thank you and your team for the tremendous effort in organising a wonderful event on Sunday. We very much appreciate the opportunity to participate in the charity event and to be able to see and hear the Hon. Usain Bolt in such distinguished settings in advance of his retirement from the track.
VALDA BROOKS, MYERS, FLETCHER AND GORDON SOLICITORS
 
Many congratulations to you…on a spectacular evening last night at the Dorchester. It was a tremendous event, with incredible star quality in the form of Usain and Glen. Two wonderful men, and impeccably hosted by Colin. And, you did a truly wonderful (heroic) job managing the photo opportunities. I was delighted to be part of it.

“I hope that you were pleased with the amount of money raised. I was pleasantly surprised by the relatively strong bidding...It was a surprisingly engaged and willing crowd, and you turned out to have some tremendous bidders, especially among the ladies.
ADRIAN BIDDELL
 
It was a really great evening and I thought that Paulette did a great job keeping everybody under control.
ERROL GARDNER
 
Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed this evening's event.
PHIL JEVON
 
I really enjoyed myself. Thank you for all your help regarding the tickets. Brilliant evening.
PAULA, SPHERE HOSPITALITY

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