Some 300 guests from the British business community in Korea gathered on Friday for a Christmas fund-raising event hosted by the British Chamber of Commerce in Korea to support charities here.

“An important function of the BCCK is contributing to Korean society by fund-raising for worthy charities,” BCCK chairman Michael Reed said during the event held at Grand Hyatt Seoul Hotel.

At the event, BCCK members and five ambassadors to Korea including British ambassador Scott Wightman participated in live and silent auctions as the nonprofit performers Salvation Army Brass Band played Christmas carols.

Last year, the BCCK donated 17 million won ($15,000) to Helping Hands Korea, a Christian mission that assists North Korea by providing famine relief in the northeastern region of the impoverished nation, as well as assisting North Korean refugees in China.

It also made a donation of 13 million won to the Jeon Jin Sang Center, which offers free medical and welfare services for the urban poor.

“Our ability to deliver on our goals as a chamber and to support worthy causes is always dependent on the very kind generosity of our sponsors and guests,” said Reed.

Over 50 sponsors donated cash and auction items for this year’s fund-raising event, according to the BCCK. The sponsors included British Airways, Jaguar, HSBC, Burberry and Somerset Palaces Seoul.

By Park Han-na (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)