Following the founding of The Xenophon Protopapas Foundation in memory of the late Xenophon Protopapas, the first ‘XS Ball’ took place on Saturday 23rd November 2024 at The Landmark Hotel in London, in spectacular style.
The event celebrated the life of Xenophon in a way which he would have enjoyed; and raised significant funds for the Foundation, its causes and beneficiaries.
The black-tie event was attended by 370 guests, including His Excellency, High Commissioner Dr Kyriacόs Kouros, Consul-General, Mr Odysseas Odysseos, The Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor Tony Vourou, and representing His Eminence Archbishop Nikitas, the Very Rev. Archimandrite Philotheos Mavrakis and Archdeacon Revd Dr George Tsourous. Representatives from Alkionides UK and Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, some of the Foundation’s beneficiaries, were also in attendance.
The evening showcased fantastic company, food and entertainment including a silent, a live auction and live music by Soprano, Katerina Mina, the Enthimion Show Band with Angeliki Dara and the Pure Vibez Trio Ft Stringz.
The Trustees of the Foundation have expressed their deepest gratitude to everyone who attended and supported this sold-out fundraising event; a joyous night full of laughter, music, entertainment and generosity.
THE XENOPHON PROTOPAPAS FOUNDATION
Continuing the benevolent legacy of the late Xenophon Protopapas, the Foundation’s purpose is to aid the Greek and Cypriot community, for the advancement of religion, education, and culture, as well as children and others of all backgrounds facing poverty and medical challenges. Xenophon cared deeply about these causes, as did his recently late mother Andriani Protopapas. The Foundation not only honours Xenophon’s legacy but continues Andriani’s many years of charitable work.
Xenophon was born in Cyprus in 1947. He was the eldest of four siblings with a much larger extended family. He left Cyprus and came to England on 5 October 1961 when he was around 15 years old, heading for London, seeking better opportunities for himself and his family. Xenophon worked various jobs to provide for his family and spent a number of years in commerce before entering the legal profession in 1982; and founded Protopapas LLP in 1990.
As a teenager, Xenophon was actively involved in the Cathedral of St Sophia, Greek school and youth club organisations. He served on the Council of the Greek Orthodox Community of Barnet since 1982. He was also a member of the Trust there and chaired the council from 2004 to 2021. He devoted much time towards rebuilding the church Hall of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Cross and St Michael, Golders Green, after it burned down, paying off the crippling community debt and maintaining the Church through lean years caused by a dwindling congregation and declining donations.
Xenophon’s vision was to create financial security for the Greek Orthodox churches in the UK through independent commercial means, to promote priesthood as a modern profession, to support the maintenance and function of the Greek schools as contemporary institutions, and to cultivate in the second, third and subsequent generations of Greeks in the United Kingdom building a sense of knowledge, realisation and pride in their ancestry.
FOUNDATION BENEFICIARIES
The Foundation has, and will, make targeted impactful donations and grants to individuals, organisations, other established charities and medical centres.
Although a young charity, thanks to the initial benevolence of its benefactors, the Foundation has already in supported: The Archdiocese of Thyateira & GB and Great Ormond Street Hospital, Alkionides UK, North London Hospice, Make a Wish Foundation, and the Cathedrals of St. Michael and St. Katherine.
The Foundation’s ultimate goal is to establish a sustainable platform to provide ongoing and perpetual charitable support to the Foundation’s beneficiaries.
The Xenophon Protopapas Foundation
180 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7PD
Web: www.thexenophonprotopapasfoundation.com
Email: info@thexenophonprotopapasfoundation.com
