Guests to the eighth Diverse Abilities rugby lunch, helped to raise a whopping £31,201 for Dorset’s leading disability charity. Since the event started in 2000, more than £197,000 has been raised.
Sponsored by Dixon Stewart and Quantuma, the rugby lunch was held at Hoburne Holiday Park in Christchurch. Attendees were treated to a day of entertainment, with a sumptuous three-course lunch, a raffle, table sales, networking and auction lots. Funds raised from the lunch will provide support to children and adults living with a disability, as well as their families.
Special celebrity appearances were made by Paul Rendall – a former English rugby union player who played for London Wasps and has 28 caps for England, Jeff Probyn – also a former English rugby union player who played for the old Albanians, Streatham and Wasps and has 37 caps for England, plus David Duckham MBE – an England, Barbarians and British Lions legend, known in his day for his great pace, swerves and side steps.
Lauren McCullough, events manager at Diverse Abilities, said: “We’re thrilled that such a wonderful amount of money was raised by our guests through our annual rugby lunch. Thank you to everyone who helped to make it such a success, including those who bought a ticket, got involved with the raffle and the auction lots, and of course the local businesses that provided us with prizes to give away on the day. Hoburne Holiday Parks have supported us since our very first lunch back in 2000, so we’d also like to say a special thank you to them, as well as to our wonderful sponsors, Dixon Stewart and Quantuma.
“Every penny raised means that we can continue our vital work making a difference to children and adults, and their families, living with disabilities throughout Dorset.”
For more information on Diverse Abilities please visit www.diverseabilities.org.uk or call 01202 718266.
Image attached: Jeff Probyn, left, and Paul Rendall, centre right, with John Kennar, Diverse Abilities trustee, centre left, and Mark Powell, the charity’s CEO. Photograph by Hattie Miles.