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Decathlete Daley delights at sporting lunch raising an incredible £38,500

Published on: 11 Jun 2019

Daley Thompson and Ryan Heal, Rockinghorse CEO and Best of British event organiser (photo: Stephen Johnson Photography)

Guests were treated to an afternoon in the presence of legendary sporting personality Daley Thompson CBE.

Supporting Rockinghorse, the annual Best of British charity lunch took place on Friday 31 May. It was kindly sponsored by Overline and held at The Grand Hotel in Brighton for its 11th successful year in a row.

500 people from Sussex businesses filled The Empress Suite. They enjoyed an impressive three-course lunch, followed by an entertaining and insightful question and answer session with Daley Thompson, hosted by MC and comedian Aaron James.

Double Olympic Decathlon Champion Daley now lives in Brighton and was only too delighted to make a rare public appearance in support of our charity. Aged 60, the London-born athlete recalled memories of his four world records, two Olympic gold medals, and three Commonwealth titles. He is, without doubt, one of the greatest decathletes of all time.

MC and comedian Aaron James quizzes Daley during a Q&A (photo: Stephen Johnson Photography)

An amazing amount raised for Rockinghorse

A fundraising raffle and auction were held during the afternoon, which raised an incredible £38,500 for Rockinghorse who work in partnership with hospitals, neonatal units and paediatric services across the county to support sick and disadvantaged children in Sussex.

The funds raised will enable us to make an impactful difference to the lives of young people with mental health illnesses. Working with the Sussex Partnership NHS Trust and The Love Local Jobs Foundation, funding will benefit young people who’ll experience a series of life-changing trips to Snowdonia National Park. The trips will cater for up to 20 children at a time.

Guest Mike Sparkes bid for a personally signed canvas from Daley (photo: Stephen Johnson Photography)

Supporting young people with mental health illnesses

Ryan Heal, Rockinghorse CEO and organiser of the Best of British events, explains more. He says: “For many young people, this will be the next step on their road to recovery from mental illness. We hope this opportunity will help fulfil renewed hopes and dreams as part of an overall happy and healthy future for those supported through the programme.

“We are so very grateful to those who helped make the event possible today. Thank you to our headline sponsors, Overline, and of course to everyone who so very generously donated.”

 

Rockinghorse staff and volunteers at the event (photo: Stephen Johnson Photography)