inspire+ Gala Dinner 2024: Celebrating local Olympians and 13 years of inspire+

On the evening of Thursday, 17th October 2024, inspire+ hosted their annual gala dinner at the beautiful Harlaxton Manor, marking a significant milestone in our charity’s journey. This event celebrated 13 years of remarkable success while laying the foundation for a bright and promising future for the children and young people we serve.

The gala perfectly blended commemoration and vision. We honoured inspire+’s trusted partnerships and opened the door to new supporters eager to contribute to our mission. The evening celebrated our local Olympians and Paralympians who attended the Paris games this summer and showcased our charity’s past achievements, current initiatives, and ambitious future plans, all focused on keeping children Healthy, Happy, and Active.

The presence of esteemed sports personalities made the evening even more memorable. Guests were delighted to meet Craig Heap, Commonwealth Games Gold medal-winning gymnast; Jonathan Broom-Edwards, Paralympian High Jump Gold Medallist; Dai Greene, World Champion and Olympic Hurdler; Freya Colbert, World Champion and Olympic Swimmer; Lewis Davey, Olympic Relay Medallist; and Bruce Dee, Paralympic Swimmer. Guiding the thrilling auction was none other than David Palmer, the renowned auctioneer, who kept the excitement alive as bidders competed for one-of-a-kind items.

A passionate speech by Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam was another highlight of the evening. He spoke powerfully about the importance of ensuring children’s happiness, health, and active lifestyles, underscoring the very essence of inspire+’s mission.

We were honoured to have Dr. Holly Carter, Director and Principal of Harlaxton Manor present, who welcomed our esteemed guests to the event. Harlaxton Manor’s partnership with inspire+ is very special to us, and we are deeply grateful for Dr. Carter’s unwavering support.

We were also thrilled to have the support of the Royal Ballet and Opera, whose continued partnership with inspire+ was celebrated throughout the event. Their dedication to our cause reflects the importance of arts and culture in fostering well-being and active lifestyles for young people.

Our CEO, Vincent Brittain, also took the opportunity to acknowledge Ali Oliver MBE, who was present at the Gala Dinner, and the national charity she leads, the Youth Sport Trust, for all the remarkable work that they have done for more than 30 years and continue to do so in schools across the country.

Auction Highlights

One of the key elements of the evening was the auction, where our supporters generously contributed to our fundraising efforts. Some of the exciting items on offer included:

1. The Hidden Harlaxton Tour
2. A pair of tickets to see the legendary British comedian Peter Kay
3. A Jensen Security and Fire Systems Intruder System
4. A bespoke hamper from Botanicals
5. Autoglym Lifeshine
6. A Harlaxton Manor Christmas
7. Signed Mo Farah picture
8. Wheelchair sports package
9. Nicola Auckland Photography
10. Tickets to the Corrs
11. UEFA Nations League tickets
12. Framed Leicester tigers shirt
13. VIP tickets to the Royal Opera House, including a private backstage tour and signed pointe shoes from a principal ballerina

The auction alone helped raise over £7,000—funds that will go directly toward continuing our work in schools and communities to ensure children stay healthy, happy, and active. But beyond the financial success, the evening was about forging new relationships.

Looking Ahead

Following the success of this year’s gala, we are already looking ahead to next year’s event, with details to be announced soon. As we continue to expand our work, we are eager to collaborate with even more businesses and community partners who share our commitment to improving the lives of children.

Thank you to everyone who made this evening possible, from our generous supporters to the incredible local businesses who attended. Together, we are building a healthier, happier, and more active future for young people. We look forward to continuing this journey with you.

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