GroceryAid’s annual Sporting Lunch (8 November) raised a record £635,347 for the industry charity.
Now in its 54th year, the event broke a further record with over 1,200 colleagues from 200 companies in attendance.
John Inverdale was joined this year at Grosvenor House by Natalie Pinkham, who took to the stage with former Formula One star David Coulthard. She later interviewed royal equestrian Zara Philips about her ambitions for the Tokyo Olympics. Graeme Swann and Lawrence Dallaglio rounded off the entertainment, chatting about everything from world class sport to Strictly Come Dancing.
Twenty-eight sporting heroes from all disciplines joined guests throughout the lunch to tell their stories, pose for selfies and, in Lizzie Yarnold’s case, pass around her gold medals.
Outgoing GroceryAid President Andrew Higginson commented: “The Sporting Lunch is a highlight of GroceryAid’s calendar, and I am delighted that we’ve raised a record total. The charity provides essential support to colleagues when they need it most and thousands more will now be able to benefit as a result of the industry’s generosity today.”
On the day Higginson introduced a new film showing how the charity helped a colleague struggling with mental health issues. The total raised on the day will provide similar counselling for over 2,100 colleagues.
GroceryAid Chief Executive Steve Barnes said: “We are delighted with the support we are given from across the industry and the Sporting Lunch was a great example of this with a record number of companies attending. The fantastic sum raised will help make a real difference to colleagues experiencing difficulty.”
Next year’s Sporting Lunch will be held on Friday 13 November 2020 at the Grosvenor House Hotel. Email events@groceryaid.org.uk or call 01252 875925 to secure a table.
