Over 1,200 industry colleagues attended the sold out GroceryAid Sporting Lunch on November 2, raising a record £515,000 for the charity.
This money will help fund the December financial grant payments that the charity makes to over 2,200 colleagues in need.
Charles Wilson, Vice President of GroceryAid and CEO of Booker welcomed guests before highlighting the increased number of working age colleagues GroceryAid is now supporting. Wilson then revealed GroceryAid’s latest case study film, a working mum who has been receiving support from the charity following the birth of her disabled son.
Hosted by John Inverdale and Katharine Merry, guests were entertained by a speech from IAAF President Lord Sebastian Coe. Following this they enjoyed sporting tales and banter from English sport double act Mike Tindall and Alan Shearer (pictured). A wealth of sporting stars was also in attendance including Rugby World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson and Team GB Olympic Gold Medal Hockey trio Crista Cullen, Helen Richardson-Walsh and Kate Richardson-Walsh to name just a few.
Steve Barnes, Chief Executive of GroceryAid, said: “We’re humbled by the support given to us by the industry and the Sporting Lunch was a glowing example of this with a record number of companies attending. This fantastic sum raised will help make a very real difference to colleagues experiencing difficulty.”
The 2019 Sporting Lunch will be held on Friday November 8 at the Grosvenor House Hotel. Email events@groceryaid.org.uk or call 01252 875925 to secure your table.
