Friends of the LWSF – Page 6 – The Lisa Wilson Scholarship Fund

September 5, 2005

Gala dinner exceeds all expectations

Lisa’s Legacy gala dinner and dance on Saturday September 3^rd at the DeVere Grand Harbour Hotelproved to be an amazing evening.

Hosted by former Olympian Roger Black MBE and supported by Denis Bundy, the evening was full of events and star cabaret. Some two hundred and fifty guests attended the evening, with the sporting and entertainment world coming out in force to support Lisa’s Legacy, and many stars donated beautiful items for auction – Sir Elton John donated a framed and signed CD and photo, Kylie Minogue donated a signed CD, Sting gave a signed framed photograph, Federal Mogul donated a box at Manchester United for five for the Arsenal game, Rupert Lowe donated tickets for the directors’ box at St Mary’s, and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s company gave tickets for Phantom of the Opera… the list went on and on and over fifty items were donated in total.

Following the introduction to the evening by Roger Black which included a DVD called ‘Lisa’s Dream’ (a pictorial tribute to music of Lisa’s journey created by Lisa’s brother Ross), local singer Martin Murphy sang through dinner. This was followed by ‘Kings and Queens’ which raised £1250. Roger Black then gave an impressive speech and showed the film of the 4×4 Olympic relay final in which he won a gold medal. The audience cheered as Chris Akabussi crossed the line to win gold!

Mark Rigler spoke on behalf of locally based company Southern Exhaust Supplies, which is owned by Lisa’s family and who were the main sponsor for the evening. During his speech he announced the appointment of Ross Wilson – Lisa’s brother – as a Director of the company and his new business card was presented to him by his brother Scott.

This was followed by a moving tribute in which Lisa’s auntie Heather dedicated the Bee Gees song ‘Immortality’ to Lisa. Clive Wilson – Lisa’s dad – then introduced Lisa’s Legacy which was a six minute DVD also created by Ross of all the fund raising activity that had brought in some £70,000 to date.

He announced the first target for the charity £100,000 which is 100 years of education in Lisa’s memory. A truly fitting legacy to such a lovely girl whose life had been taken whilst just in her prime. Clive’s wife Tricia joined him on stage to be introduced to the guests and to receive a bouquet of flowers and picture from daughter-in-law Kelly and Ross’s partner Donna.

Thomas Dean of what is now Southampton Solent University Business School (previously Southampton Institute) made a short reply on behalf of the guests.

Star cabaret followed with the wit and musical talent of Steve Womack who had everyone singing along

Next up was the auction full of so many fabulous items, the star prize was four nights in Las Vegas with flights to see Celine Dion in concert in the show New Day. This prize went for over £3000! with an amazing bid by Ian and Teresa Hibberd. In all, the auction just topped £13,000, a truly amazing figure. The silent auction raised another £2000 and then a raffle with a prize on every table raised a further £3000,

The night hadn’t finished yet. Now it was time for five star cabaret from the ‘Drifters’ – they too helped with the fund raising by signing a guitar donated by Steve Etheridge from the round table for £900. With other items they raised £1150 to add to the total.

At about two in the morning the evening finally closed having amassed an amazing total of £24,560 and still climbing.

This was a tremendous tribute to a beautiful girl whose spirit lives on today and continues to help so many others. The first target of 100 years of education is almost complete.

See more photos from this fantastic event in the picture gallery.

July 22, 2005

Around the Island row raises funds

Gus Mckechnie and a team of rowers row 72 miles around the Isle of Wight

Southampton student Gus Mckechnie lead a team of rowers on this epic thirteen hour journey from Warsash clock-wise around the Island on July 21st. Gus spent the whole thirteen hours in the boat while the rest of the crew were swapped after about four hours rowing. The challenge which was taken on on behalf of Lisa’s Charity, the Sir Steve Redgrave Trust, the Haemochromatosis Society and the UK Adaptive Rowing Squad. Gus has helped with lots of different fund raising events for the Lisa Wilson Scholarship Fund and this was the first of a three part challenge for which he hopes to raise £10,000 giving each of the charities 25% of the proceeds. The next event will be a sponsored cycle ride from Southampton Football Club to Dorchester football club, this will be followed by the Boston rowing marathon on September 24th.

Gus lost his brother Andrew two years ago to Haemochromatosis and has the disease himself; he hopes these three tough challenges will bring awareness to people about the disease which can lead to organ failure. The crews of four and two coxes started the challenge at 7.45am, the first crew change came at Sandown when three rowers were swopped for the long row down the back of the Island. About thirty minutes from the Needles in what was becoming quite a swell another crew change saw three lady rowers and a new cox get on board with a somewhat shattered looking Gus. The girls, who included two partially sighted rowers Katie Dunlevy and Caroline Munday-Cox, rowed the boat home to Warsash for the final leg arriving at 8.45pm. Both girls have been chosen to row for Great Britain in Japan in the World Championships – rowing has just been introduced as a Paraplympic sport and the girls and Gus wanted to raise money and awareness for the sport.
Anyone wishing to donate to this fund can do so on line by going to www.justgiving.com/sotonrowchallenge

October 23, 2004

Rowing boat launched in Lisa’s memory

On Friday 22nd October a £9000 rowing boat was launched into the river Itchen at Coalporters Rowing Club in Southampton in memory of Lisa. The boat was named ‘Lisa The Daddy’ after Lisa’s e-mail address and website. The boat, which will be used all over the country in University competitions, was launched on behalf of the Southampton Institute rowing club. Lisa was a student at the Institute and graduated there with a 2-1 in Business Management. The Dean of the Institute Roger Brown attended the ceremony along with the Mayor of Southampton who said a few words about Lisa and the Charity and offered his support to the family. Tricia and Clive Wilson also attended with Lisa’s brothers Scott and Ross and Scott’s wife Kelly and Ross’s partner Donna. Several other dignitaries also attended the ceremony along with members of the rowing club. A ladies four from the institute crewed the boat on its maiden voyage. Special thanks must be given to Gus Mckechnie for his help in making this happen.

January 3, 2004

Shaun Monaghan raises £244

Our good friend Shaun Monaghan raised £244 running in the Bristol half marathon for Lisa’s Charity, and with gift aid this should increase by about 20%. We were hoping to publish a picture of Shaun but to date he’s forgotten to send us one!

Thanks a lot Shaun.