# Lords Taverners Present minibus to Hilton Foundation for fundraising success

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/12/12/lords-taverners-present-minibus-hilton-foundation-fundraising-success/
- Published: 2008-12-12T16:37:32+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The Lord’s Taverners presented one of its iconic minibuses to the ‘Hilton in the
Community Foundation’ at the London Hilton on Park Lane on Friday 5 December, in
recognition of funding raised at a charity ball on 18 October.

The Lord’s Taverners were represented by Clare Strange, GB wheelchair basketball
player at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics and TV star Lorraine Chase.

Special guests and West End stars The Jersey Boys, who performed at the Ball, were
present alongside Ian Carter, President Hilton Global Operations, Simon Vincent,
Chairman of the Hilton Foundation’s Trustees and Area President of Hilton UK and
Ireland, and Andreas Panayiotou, Chairman of The Ability Group, sponsors of this
year’s ball.

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The Lord’s Taverners, the youth sports charity, was the main beneficiary of the 
Hilton in the Community Foundation Ball, which raised over £360,000. The charity
received almost £220,000 for its Disability Sports Appeal, a huge boost towards 
its goal of raising £1 million for disability sport in the build up to the 2012 
Paralympics in London. The money will be used to buy specially-adapted sports wheelchairs
for children with disabilities, as well as supporting the infrastructure and clubs
to enable students to participate.

The Hilton in the Community Foundation will present the specially-adapted minibus
to the Comberton Village College, Cambridge, in early 2009. The school welcomes 
all members of the community with special needs of any kind, and caters for all 
levels of ability. This minibus will provide Comberton Village College pupils with
vital access to activities outside of the school grounds, including sports events,
educational trips and

Dame Maureen Thomas, Hilton in the Community Foundation Trustee and Chair of the
Ball Committee, said:

“We are thrilled to have raised a record amount at the most successful ball in the
Foundation’s history. In the current financial climate it is more important than
ever for us to support children’s charities in need of help. We were also delighted
to have the Taverners Disability Sports Appeal as this year’s principal beneficiary;
having enjoyed watching this year’s Paralympians in Beijing I hope that this fundraising
will help to equip the next generation of athletes with the tools for success!”

Judith Chalmers OBE, Lady Taverners President Emeritus said:

“To have raised such a spectacular sum of money is wonderful and I’d like to thank
everyone for their support on behalf of The Lord’s Taverners Disability Sports Appeal.
This money raised for the junior wheelchair sports programmes we have put in place
and for the provision of sports wheelchairs will really make a great difference 
to so many young people’s lives, and will enable children with disabilities to enjoy
all the benefits which sport has to offer.”

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