The event celebrated the annual Six Nations Rugby tournament with a packed evening of good food, great hospitality, an auction and entertainment. Tenor Martin Toal sang rousing renditions of several rugby classics. An auction, raffle and quiz added to the fun including a House of Commons bottle of whisky signed by Prime Minister David Cameron which raised a £100.

Wooden Spoon's West Midlands chairman Phil Pemble said: "We would like to recognise the fantastic support we received from the region's business community. Around 180 people attended and dug deep to support the cause to the tune of £7,000.

"This event took us that bit closer to breaking through the magical £1 million barrier for funds raised and spent on projects here in the West Midlands. With our planned golf day in July and the help of business in the region we believe we can get extremely close to that target." added Phil, who is PR manager of Birmingham-based employment and training specialists Pertemps People Development Group who helped sponsor the event.

Wooden Spoon, founded almost 30 years ago, raises money both locally and nationally to invest in capital projects that benefit disadvantaged children and young people. Last year the West Midlands regions built a sensory room for a special school in Burton-on-Trent, and donated money for a major refurbishment in support of Harborne based Focus Birmingham accommodating school leavers with sight loss.

"We're all volunteers who channel our passion for the game to help those less fortunate, "continued Phil. "Fundraising is extremely competitive but always worthwhile. Nothing can ever replace the smiles we generate with the opening of a new playground, a sensory room or a refurbishment."