Sporting Inspirations Dinner 2009

Celebrities turn out for 'Sporting Inspirations'

Scope’s Business Development Board, chaired by Isabel Hudson and led by Special Events Fundraiser Sue Dorrington, held their first Sporting Inspirations Dinner on Wednesday 18 November 2009 at the London Marriot, Grosvenor Square. 

Sporting Inspirations is one of Scope’s biggest fundraising events of the year.

The event was hosted by Alastair Stewart OBE, one of our patrons. He guided the guests through the evening, which opened with a round of heads and tails. This was then followed by a silent auction. The 300 guests attempted to outbid each other for a range of prizes using an electronic bidding system. The auction was conducted by television presenter James Rylands and the star prize on the night was two tickets to the X-Factor semi-final on 5 December, which sold for £1,600.

Alongside Scope patrons Cherie Blair and Ade Adepitan MBE, we also had TV presenter Gethin Jones, former Olympic athlete Linford Christie OBE, World Champion gymnast Beth Tweddle, and Leicester Tigers and England rugby player Sam Vesty. The main draw of the rugby-themed event was Sir Clive Woodward OBE, who took part in ‘an audience with’ style chat with John Inverdale.

Lewis Hamilton MBE agreed to sign a Scalextric set which raised £575 on the night and a pair of autographed glasses from U2’s Bono sold for £340.

The event itself was a huge success, ultimately raising over £75,000 towards Scope Response.