Students of Hotel Management School Leeuwarden organised an exceptionally successful fundraising dinner for Stichting Buddyhuis on Friday, 23 January. During the dinner Samen aan tafel (“Together at the Table”), held at Restaurant Wannee, an impressive €36,040 was raised for the charity.
Buddyhuis is an initiative that connects people who have received a (cancer) diagnosis. Through shared experiences, a listening ear, and practical support, Buddyhuis offers comfort and guidance during what is often a life-changing period.
The fundraising dinner was part of a so-called Design Challenge, a real-life practical assignment within the Hotel Management programme. The students were challenged to strengthen Buddyhuis’s position in the northern Netherlands and to increase awareness of the initiative. Working in teams, they developed and delivered a professional fundraising event, focusing not only on the concept but also on the complete guest experience.
During the evening, 88 guests enjoyed a dinner, along with an auction and a raffle. A striking and interactive highlight was the moment when guests could pull balloons down from above the tables. By doing so, they purchased a bottle of champagne: a playful initiative that created energy, engagement, and a lively atmosphere in the room. The evening was characterised by warmth, connection, and shared commitment to the mission of Buddyhuis.
Through the Design Challenges, students of Hotel Management School Leeuwarden regularly work on real-world industry assignments. Organisations present a concrete challenge, after which students collaborate in groups to deliver a professional and practical outcome. The fundraising dinner for Buddyhuis is a successful example of this approach.