Conservative Party leader David Cameron was guest speaker at The Lord’s Taverners Christmas Lunch yesterday (Monday 7 December) at London’s Grosvenor House hotel where 1,400 guests helped raise over £500,000 for the Charity’s work with disadvantaged and disabled young people.

The Lord’s Taverners is one of the UK’s leading youth sports and disability charities and will donate nearly £3 million this year to help give young people, particularly those with special needs, a sporting chance.

In his speech, Mr Cameron saluted the work of voluntary organisations, like The Lord’s Taverners, and their positive contribution to Britain’s future. 

He was followed on stage by impressionist and comedian Jon Culshaw before The Lord’s Taverners President, Chris Tarrant, proudly announced that the event had raised £550,000 thanks to donations from the England & Wales Cricket Board (£200k), the 2009 Lord Mayor’s Appeal (£250k) and other fundraising at the lunch.

The event, sponsored by Sky Sports, began with Ricky Groves and his dance partner, Erin Boag, presenting a Lord’s Taverners wheelchair accessible minibus to pupils at Shepherds Down School, Winchester. The disability vehicle will change the lives of the school’s pupils, who all have disabilities and learning difficulties, by providing better access to local amenities.

Ricky Groves is an ambassador for The Lord’s Taverners and showed his support for the Charity during the current series of Strictly Come Dancing by regularly sporting a Lord’s Taverners t-shirt while training.

Matthew Patten, Chief Executive of The Lord’s Taverners, said, “Taverners love enjoying themselves, but the point of the organisation is to give young people a sporting chance. We believe that competitive team sports, like cricket, can enhance the social and economic prospects of disadvantaged and disabled young people. The fantastic sum raised yesterday will allow us to support thousands more young people across the UK.”


Lord's Taverners Sports Endeavour Award winner Karl Hassell with his brother Liam and David Cameron


Chris Tarrant with Liam and Karl Hassell


Ricky Groves, Erin Boag and Chris Tarrant with Shepherds Down School teachers and pupils Anthony and Leanne


Over 1,400 guests enjoyed The Lord's Taverners Christmas Lunch at Grosvenor House


Bob 'The Cat' Bevan and Erin Boag kept the audience entertained during the raffle

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