2007 Pepper News

Sporting celebrities descend on Berkhamsted

Celeb Sport? – A new joint fundraising initiative between The Pepper Foundation and The Hospice of St Francis – proved to be a huge success recently attracting a capacity audience. Styled in the format of the BBC’s popular TV programme A Question of Sport, Phil Tufnell, ex-Middlesex and England cricketer and winner of I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here and Luther Blissett, ex-Watford and England footballer, were the team captains.

Pre show comedian Johnny Laff provided entertainment before both quiz teams were introduced to the audience. The ‘Pepper Shakers’ team featured Middlesex and ex-England cricketer David Nash, retired Premier League football referee Graham Poll, England International and Wasps rugby player James Haskell and Captain Luther Blissett.

The ‘St Francis Puffers’ team featured Watford player/coach Malky Mackay, BBC Radio London rugby reporter & commentator Sara Orchard and ex-Arsenal and England footballer Nigel Winterburn and Captain Phil Tuffnell.

Nigel Barden, the popular BBC Radio 2 food and wine critic and Radio 5 Live rugby commentator was quizmaster, MC and auctioneer extraordinaire with his usual style, panache and enthusiasm.

Sue Rodwell and her team from Rodwells Drinks Specialists in Tring kindly ran the bar both before the event and during the interval. Sue provided medal-winning wines for the event as well as soft drinks and bottled water.

Thanks to Sting the Wasp (from Wasps RFC) and Harry the Hornet (from Watford FC) for coming along to confuse our celebrities, meet the audience and act as our wonderful mystery guests in ‘Feel the Sportsperson’.

An exciting auction of sporting memorabilia, which included some fantastic items raised a magnificent £2885 with additional items in a separate silent auction adding to the total.
We were particularly delighted that the Mayor of Dacorum, Councilor Brian Ayling and his wife, Pat, were able to attend the event as our guests. The evening grossed nearly £6000, so we are looking at a donation to each charity in excess of £3000 – enough to fund nursing care for a sick child at home for 6 months.

We still have a number of fabulous autographed photos of our celebrity panel, which were taken especially for us on the night, which we would like to sell to help boost the funds raised at the event.

If anyone would like to make a bid for a signed photo of our sports stars – Phil, Malky, Nigel, Sara or Luther, David, Graham & James – please contact karenbuchanan@btinternet.com for further details.

13th September 2009

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