Another successful Sports Dinner
The 5th Iain Rennie Sports Dinner took place at Pendley Manor on Thursday, and it turned out to be another great success.
Silent and live auctions plus a delicious dinner preceded a question and answer session with a top class sporting panel. Former footballer Tony Cottee, ex-England rugby captain Roger Uttley, past England cricketer Neil Foster, horse racing expert Cornelius Lysaght and broadcaster Mark Pougatch provided views and opinions on the pressing sporting issues.
After enjoying dinner and bidding in the auction the audience were totally engaged by the views of the panel on current sporting issues. The sporting panel weren't just there to discuss sport, they were there to help raise money for Iain Rennie and all gave their time free of charge.
During the evening, some unbelievable pieces of sporting and movie memorabilia went under the hammer. The runaway success was an extremely rare piece. Pictures and signatures of England 's 1966 World Cup winning side took £2,200 for Iain Rennie. Possibly helped by Manchester United's Champions League success the previous night, another popular lot was a Rio Ferdinand signed shirt. The live auction alone raised around £10,000.
All those that attended the dinner seemed to have an enjoyable evening. A big thank you to organisers Chris Langford , Peter Drury and Bob Mason as they made the evening possible.
On supporting the charity, Mark Pougatch said "Anyone who has been through having a hospice nurse or experienced the work they do makes you want to support them." Tony Cottee was also extremely positive about supporting Iain Rennie and explained how he came to be on the panel. "I was asked by Peter Drury, and it fit within my schedule so I was glad to help."
With a lively atmosphere, a top class sporting panel, great food and a fantastic auction, the Iain Rennie Sports Dinner was another success. The most important thing though was that over £16,000 was made for Iain Rennie. In five years of the Sports Dinner, £80,000 has been raised for the charity. With money like that coming in, don't be surprised to see another top class event next year.
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This news item has been written by IRHH Supporter and budding Sports Journalist Sam Limbert
28th May 2008
