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Olympic hero boosts 25th anniversary funds
Quadruple Olympic gold medallist rower Sir Matthew Pinsent was one of four leading sports personalities who made up the panel for the annual Pendley Manor dinner earlier this month, organised to raise money for IRHH.
Sir Matthew was joined by former Watford and England soccer manager Graham Taylor; Jim Beglin, an international for the Republic of Ireland and part of the 1985 Liverpool FA Cup and League Championship winning side, and the anchorman for ITV's sports coverage, Steve Ryder.
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The event, held on the night of the General Election - Thursday 6th May - followed the tried and trusted formula of an auction of memorabilia led by Bob Mayson, along with a silent auction, followed by a question and answer session with the panel.
The evening is in its seventh year and has so far raised nearly £100,000 from local businesses and individuals.
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Robert Breakwell, IRHH Chief Executive, said: "This is one of the highlights of our fundraising calendar and, as ever, the organisers have come up with a spectacular panel and some exciting prizes, all fit for our 25th anniversary."
Event organisers, IRHH Honorary Treasurer Chris Langford, ITV presenter and IRHH Vice President Peter Drury and businessmen Bob Mayson and Richard Peel were delighted by the success of the evening.
Chris said: "The support from local people and businesses for this event has always been top rate. There is a real passion for the Iain Rennie charity and its work and that always translates into generous donations."
 Jim Beglin, Graham Taylor and Sir Matthew |
 Peter Drury |
The celebrity sports panellists entertained guests with their speeches and anecdotes, and all gave their time at no cost to IRHH. Matthew Pinsent even let people have their pictures taken with his Olympic medals (for a small donation of course!).
 IRHH fundraisers with Sir Matthew's medals; Joanne Hunt, Kerri Coote and Ruth Barber |
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20th May 2010
