On 27th July 2023, Donations with a Difference got sporty, raising money in a way that we had never done before. Rallying teams from across the local construction industry and Canterbury business district we hosted our first ever fundraising netball tournament at the University of Kent in conjunction with London-based charity The Brompton Fountain.
Utilising the netball prowess and expertise of Lorna Gee from architectural practice OSG Architecture, who founded the event back on 2019 solely in aid of the Brompton Fountain, Trustee Ella Brocklebank was keen to see the event resurrected and worked with Lorna to bring the tournament back, as an opportunity to have fun, network, team-build and of course raise funds for our two amazing charities.
With 7 teams battling it out in back-to-back matches to claim the top spot as champions on the day the event was fast-paced and energetic, ultimately raising over £2000. With the original intention to divide funds equally between the two beneficiaries the Trustees of Donations with a Difference took the unanimous decision to wholly gift the money raised to the Brompton Fountain, the charity so close to Lorna’s heart having cared for her daughter some 10 years ago, in recognition of all her efforts to make the day happen.
The Brompton Fountain support seriously ill babies and children at The Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals raising funds for the paediatric intensive care unit, Rose Ward and the hospital playroom. Lorna’s daughter Georgina experienced the amazing care at the Brompton hospital when she had a pneumonectomy (her left lung removed) and spent several weeks being treated here. Without them she simply wouldn’t be playing and umpiring netball to this day! The work of the charity made her time there memorable for all the right reasons through provision of lap tops and toys and means the money raised by this event will make a huge difference to those children in the future who need the care and support of the charity.
The overall tournament was won by Team Jenner beating the mixed team known as ‘The Hot Shots’ in the final with a golden goal scored in extra time. An additional shooting competition was won by Tom Trew from Modus Construction Consultants.
Ultimately, the event undoubtedly achieved what we hoped it would. To bring people together in a fun-way to raise awareness of the work of both vital charities and owing to the generosity of all businesses participating, raised vital funds to make a difference to the lives of others.
Thanks to supporting businesses OSG Architecture, Jenner Group, B&M, Modus Construction Consultants, Reina Group, Martello, Hobbs Parker, Azets, Verum Financial and Tassells Solicitors and to our amazing volunteer umpires too.
