Showcasing the power of sport to bring people together was the theme of the night at the stunning Madingley Hall, the venue for Cambridge United Community Trust’s 4th annual Gala Dinner...
It was the first year back after COVID for the event - which was sponsored by Equitile Investments -and the event incorporated the ‘United in Endeavour’ Awards for the first time.
Organisations, companies and beneficiaries of the Community Trust’s work joined forces for a celebration of all the good work being done in the community by the football club.
The valuable fundraising evening for the Community Trust highlighted much of the work done throughout the year, including highlighting the life-changing work of their mental health projects, weight management work, disability sport programme led by Phil Mullen and so much more.
Raising over £15,000 and significant awareness about the way the Community Trust works, the evening was a tremendous success.
The Trust’s Chair of Trustees, Graham Daniels compered the evening which featured several on-stage interviews, with guests shown videos of some of the Trust’s successful projects.
The evening celebrated the achievements of the seven 'United in Endeavour' Award winners from across the Trust’s programmes and local community.
- Mental Health Champion – Emma Dawney (sponsored by AstraZeneca, Jon Bell and presented by Ian Darler, Stadium Manager and Head Groundsman)
- Overcoming Adversity – Bryson Taylor (sponsored by Cambridge Independent, Kath Goodwin and presented by Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority)
- Environmental Sustainability Champion – William & Oliver (sponsored by Mick George, Jon Stump and presented by Mark Bonner, first team head coach of Cambridge United)
- Young Achiever – Rodgers Dawson (sponsored by Cambridgeshire FA, Jo Bull and presented by Kay Batkin, Youth Sports Trust)
- Covid Response Volunteer – Abbey Food Hub (sponsored by Cambridge University Institute of Continuing Education, Dr.Jim Gazzard, and presented by Darryl Preston, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Police and Crime Commissioner)
- Community Engager – Zoe Harvey (sponsored by Hill Group, Iain Liversage and presented by Daniel Zeichner, MP for Cambridge)
- Outstanding Achievement – Nigel Hillyard (sponsored by Living Sport, Samantha Hyde, and presented by Alessio Verrecchia, disability sport participant)
Sam Gomarsall, Community Trust Manager said, "We are hugely grateful for the many businesses and individuals which supported the Community Trust through this event. The evening gave us the opportunity to tell the story that underpins everything we do: that sport really can change lives and by coming together, we can all be part of a healthier, stronger and more equal community.
"The seven winners highlight in such a clear way to me, all that is transformative about sport and are a credit to themselves and their city."
Read more about the winners and their stories in the Cambridge Independent.