On February 23rd, undeterred by the grey and drizzely weather the team from the local office made their way into the centre of Cambridge to fill their collecting tins and drum up support for the evening's Wooden Spoon "Anti Assassins" v Cambridge University rugby match. James Thomas revealed previously hidden acting talents disguised as Spoony, the Wooden Spoon bear mascot and did a great job of attracting attention.

200 balloons were inflated and these were then sold for a balloon race, the balloons being released on the pitch at half time amidst cheers from the crowds. To this end the furthest balloon has made it all the way to Sint-Katelijne- Waver, Belgium. A quiz night and raffle had been organised for the following evening in a local pub, The Ickleton Lion, who generously provided a buffet and quizmaster for the evening. The evening ended in an auction of re donated raffle prizes. Seamus Farrelly, the Wooden Spoon representative joined them at both events and was so impressed that he presented them with a Cambridge office plaque!

Once in Ipswich the Giant Rugby ball was taken on a 'virtual' 220 mile lap of the Suffolk county boundary, which was completed in two days. Also a raffle was held for a hamper.

After travelling on National Express the Giant Rugby ball arrived at the Norwich office on 9th March. Events such as a coffee morning, raffle, dinner party and a 130 mile cycle ride by Russell de Beer to the Market Harborough office took place. In total the Norwich office raised £2,513.45.



The Stamford and Market Harborough offices invited everyone to join them in celebrating the final day of the Six Nations Rugby. This was followed by a full evenings entertainment including a round up of the first half with Tigers legend Bleddyn Jones, a personalised video link from Martin Johnson, a Q & A session with Tigers player Ed Slater and a highly amusing after dinner speech by the Snooker celebrity Willie Thorne.

An auction took place including some fantastic prizes such as a signed England Rugby shirt, golf day, cricket coaching with Paul Nixon, Freddie Flintoff signed cricket bat and a host of other sporting memorabilia. Around 200 people attended the event watching the matches on a giant 12ft screen creating an exciting atmosphere despite the England loss. Ticket sales, donations, auction and raffle monies raised in the region of £5,500.

All these events were extremely well supported by local and regional companies, all of whom Strutt & Parker and Wooden Spoon would like to thank for their generous donations and support. To date, over £55,000 has been raised, all of which will go to the Wooden Spoon charity supporting mentally and physically disadvantaged children all over the UK and Ireland.