Around 100 journalists and supporters of the Journalists' Charity gathered for its Annual Lunch at The Savoy in London.

The event was the first since the charity, formerly known as the Newspaper Press Fund, changed its name, and former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie told guests this was an important step as other media such as television and the Internet come to the fore.

Kelvin is spearheading the campaign to raise money to rebuild the charity's care home, Sandy Cross, in Dorking, and was presented with a number of cheques including a donation of £32,500 from the London Press Club.

The guest speaker was PR guru Max Clifford, who entertained the audience with tales of his early career, which began as a reporter on the Merton and Morden News, admitting that he got the job because the sports editor liked the fact he played water-polo - and that he later got into PR when there was "no PR industry in Britain".

He then held a frank question and answer session on the celebrity stories he has managed to get into the press – and those he has managed to keep out.

The charity's new home for retired journalists and their partners is due to open in March next year, and an appeal to raise £6m is under way to cover the £3.9m construction costs, plus fees and the loss of income from the old home and other payments.

The charity also helps journalists and their dependants in times of financial difficulty by providing grants, and lifelong membership costs just £50.

More details can be found at
www.journalistscharity.org.uk