Bill Offer (left) with Sir Christopher Meyer

More than 170 guests attended The Printing Charity's Annual Luncheon last week, where chairman Bill Offer (left) received a Pro Merito award from the charity's president and former ambassador to the US Sir Christopher Meyer in recognition of his work over the past 13 years.

In his address, Offer spoke of the charity’s goal to dramatically increase the number of people it supports. "Even in these dire times, we know the charity is not reaching many of the people who need financial help. We’re asking everyone in the printing and publishing industries to spread the word that The Printing Charity can help."

This year’s event, the 184th of its kind, also featured a keynote speech from Alan Samson of award-winning book publisher Weidenfeld & Nicolson. The lunch included a prize draw, which raised more than ￡1,600 for the charity.