Fundraising Events – Page 12 – 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.

August 1, 2005

3rd Lisa Wilson Golf Day raises over £5500

The third annual Lisa Wilson Golf Day took part at Wellow Golf Club on Saturday July 30th.Despite very mixed weather for the first time almost 150 golfers took part in the competition. The event was well sponsored and former England cricketer Robin Smith came along to present the prizes. He also offered to auction a four ball golf match at Hampworth with himself and three guests, this was sold twice for £350 raising another £700 for the charity. With the raffle bringing in £410 and members and guest fees this amassed a tremendous total of over £5500.

Click here for more golf day photos

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

March 28, 2005

Hawaiian Night raises over £2000

A Hawaiian Night starring the ‘Boys on The Beach’ was held at Eastleigh Football Club on March 26th. The evening was attended by over 100 people and raised £2060 by way of donations, a prize raffle, and entrance money. Many great prizes were kindly donated including a digital camera, a Sony Playstation, and a signed Saints shirt.

November 30, 2004

Wayne Bridge Chelsea shirt raises £1300

At a recent Eastleigh Football Club fund raising dinner two items were offered for auction on behalf of the Lisa Wilson Scholarship Fund.

The first item was a signed print of F1 star Kimi Raikonen and his McLaren Mercedes car that was auctioned to Dave Bennetto of Mamouth signs for a mamouth £650.

The second item was a shirt donated by former Saints player Wayne Bridge who is now at Chelsea. This was eventually sold to Eastleigh Manager Paul Doswell who immediately donated it to the club where it now hangs in the sponsors lounge. We would like to thank both of you for your amazing support.