News

Celebrating 40 years of Wooden Spoon at the House of Lords

To celebrate 40 years Wooden Spoon held a celebratory event at the House of Lords hosted by Lord Hayward OBE. The event was an opportunity to look back and celebrate the achievements of the charity over the last 40 years and to recognise, showcase and hopefully inspire others to get involved.
Wooden Spoon was honoured to have its patron there, HRH, The Princess Royal, who has been involved with the charity since 1997.
The Princess Royal spent time talking to the guests before making an inspiring speech and commending Wooden Spoon for its wonderful achievements over the last 40 years

In the last 40 years Wooden Spoon has raised more than £31million which has been granted out to more than 1,465 projects helping over 1.5 million children and young people.
Those in the room represented the charity’s beneficiaries, those within the sport of rugby, corporate supporters, regional volunteers who run their committees and put on over 100 events and individual fundraisers who embark on challenges. The charity was also very lucky to have one of its founding members, Nigel Timson in the room, who is still very much involved in the charity, in particular in his Chilterns region.
Rugby captain Gill Burns MBE and former red roses Rachel Burford and Heather Fisher, together with paralympic gold medallist Peter Hull MBE and rugby star Alex Grove were amongst the guests.
Corporate supporters Young’s Pubs PLC, Omerta IT and Rugbytots also came to support the event.

Gill Burns, Peter Hull, Rachel Burford & Lynn Cleckner
Ellie Boatman and Heather Fisher

The following people and organisations were presented with a recognition award for their outstanding contribution to Wooden Spoon.

  • Quentin Smith – Wooden Spoon recognition for Excellence in Governance
  • Dan Vines – Wooden Spoon recognition for Individual Fundraising
  • Young’s – Wooden Spoon recognition for Corporate Support
  • Max Webb – Wooden Spoon recognition as Long Term Partner
  • Maddie Marsden – Wooden Spoon recognition as Project Champion
  • Keith Boatman – Wooden Spoon recognition for Services to Rugby
  • Gill Burns MBE- Wooden Spoon recognition for Outstanding Ambassador
  • Wooden Spoon Chilterns – Wooden Spoon recognition for Outstanding Committee
  • Omerta IT – Wooden Spoon recognition as Vets Fest Sponsor
Barrie Mort
Barrie Mort – OMERTA
Dan Vines
Dan Vines
Gill Burns
Gill Burns MBE
Keith Boatman
Keith Boatman
Maddie Marsden
Maddie Marsden
Max Webb
Max Webb
Quentin Smith
Quentin Smith
Young's Pubs
Emma Dickson and Michelle Gray – Young’s Pubs
Chilterns Region
Chilterns Region

CEO of Wooden Spoon, Sarah Webb, expressed her gratitude to the remarkable people in the room, without whom the charity could not continue its life changing work:

“I am delighted to welcome everyone at the House of Lords. We are honoured to have our patron HRH The Princess Royal here today and deeply appreciate her unwavering support.

I am incredibly grateful to continue to serve as the CEO of the children’s charity of rugby as we celebrate our 40th birthday. It is remarkable to reflect on the profound impact Wooden Spoon has made on countless lives since 1983.  In excess of £31million to more than 1465 projects, helping over 1.5 million children and young people.  None of this would be possible without the dedication of our rugby family. Today we will be recognising some amazing people who have gone above and beyond for Wooden Spoon.

If 40 years represents our ‘half time’ then I think we are in for a spectacular 2nd half.

Thank you to each and every one of you..”