The main speakers were John Bentley (seen at left) and Kevin Connelly, who as an impersonator actually raised the number of guest speakers to over 30, with great renditions from ‘Motty’, Alan Hansen, Trevor Brooking, Sir Alex, Richie Benaud, Geoff Boycott et al.

The whole event was held firmly held together by Mr Malcolm Lord who acted as MC and the irrepressible Richard Strudwick, Toast Master.

The 501 attendees sat down to a sumptuous lunch just before 13.00 and by the time they were ready to leave at 17.00 the event had raised c £45,000!!!!!!!! This staggering amount was by some distance a record for the event and was testimony to the generosity of our Yorkshire members and their guests who approached the fund-raising aspects of the day with gusto and altruism of the highest order!

This sum was supplemented by a cheque for £2,940 from the family of Spooner Stuart Walker who lost his battle with cancer last year. A golf day was held in his memory and Spoon were the proud recipients of Stuart’s legacy as were the local hospice.

One new fund-raiser at the event was the silent auction that ran wonderfully well and was responsible for over £12,000 of the proceeds. It was very professionally put together for us by FundRaising Events Ltd who were most unobtrusive when showing their wares and explaining to our guests how to go about bidding for any of the 20 desirable items that were displayed in the foyer.

 This event has over the years become the ‘must go to party’ for Spoon members in Yorkshire and as ever it was sold out very early on with the usual list of disappointed reserves. The regional committee aims to improve the event year on year but we shall surely struggle to surpass this year’s magnificent yield but will urge all those who attended this year to return in 2008 and stir even broader smiles for the disadvantaged children in the region.