Aspire’s Sports Quiz Dinner raises £145,000

Our 23rd annual London Sport Quiz Dinner was held on Thursday 25th April at Lord’s.  360 guests enjoyed a drinks reception, three course meal and the legendary sports quiz compiled by BBC Radio Five Live’s Rob Nothman and hosted by Aspire’s President John Inverdale. 

Aspire’s CEO Brian Carlin thanked guests for attending and introduced our new Chair, John-Baptiste Wautier, who spoke about how he got involved with Aspire because his brother-in-law was paralysed by a spinal cord injury in a road traffic accident and he wants to support more people with spinal injuries to live independently.

Aspire Chair Jean-Baptiste Wautier

The guest speaker for the evening was Gary Cox who spoke about how he sustained a spinal cord injury and at age 19 was told he’d never walk again.  Having always enjoyed team sports, he started playing wheelchair rugby and then moved on to international wheelchair tennis. He turned to Aspire when he needed help because his shower seat was coming off the wall which meant that for months he had to shower at the gym which was a 30 minute drive away. Frankie, Aspire's Housing Advisor, helped Gary get the issue resolved and he says “without Aspire’s help, I’d still be without a shower seat waiting for someone to call me back.”   Read Gary’s story.

Speaker Gary Cox with John Inverdale

The evening, which included an auction, heads & tail game, raffle and silent auction raised approximately £145,000 which will help Aspire support more people with Spinal Cord Injury move from injury to independence. 

Congratulations to the winners of the quiz, the team from Reed Smith, who finished just ahead of FRP Advisory and EY.  

Register your interest in attending next year's Sports Quiz Dinner by emailing [email protected]. 

Aspire would like to thank:

  • John Inverdale, Rob Nothman, John-Baptiste Wautier, Gary and Jess Cox and all our wonderful volunteers.
  • Premium table sponsors: AlixPartners, Alvarez & Marsal, Ankura, DC Advisory, Evelyn Partners, FRP Advisory, FTI Consulting, Hilco Valuation Services, Interpath Advisory, Jean-Baptiste Wautier.
  • Auction donors: The Wimbledon Foundation, McKay Williamson, The Flying Comrades, Dave Attwood, Bath Rugby, Premiership Rugby, Firmdale Hotels.
  • Prize donors: Cliveden House, Bingham Riverhouse, The Barbour Foundation, 11 Cadogan Gardens, Lancashire Cricket Foundation, Wigan Warriors, Snackfully, Next.

Sports Quiz Dinner

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