More than 200 business leaders and die-hard football fans attended a lunch to raise money for Overcoming MS in Brighton earlier this month.
Guests included DJ Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim), who supported an auction to raise money for the charity Overcoming MS. Norman gifted exclusive tickets to an upcoming event and afternoon tea hosted by Norman at his Hove Café.
“It was a great day, and I was delighted to offer a couple of auction prizes to boost the coffers,” Norman said.
Norman attended as a guest of restaurateur Razak Helalat, who runs The Salt Room, Burnt Orange, Tutto and Coal Shed, hot spots in Brighton.
Brighton & Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom, trustee at Overcoming MS, was among the guests at the event. Tony engaged attendees with his talk covering football and his background. He also shared how he relaxes – episodes of the 1970s comedy series Fawlty Towers have him laughing out loud with his family.
At the event, Overcoming MS trustee Pauline Hanson shared her personal story of an unexpected and life-changing MS diagnosis. The way the diagnosis was delivered to her by her neurologist shook her world. She told us: “This man wiped out my life, all of it ahead… my life as I knew it was just gone.”
Fortunately for Pauline, she found support through the charity Overcoming MS: “I went on an Overcoming MS residential retreat, and it changed my life. It changed the perspective of what this disease meant, in real terms.”
As a result of this, she wants to share the positive message that you can do things to manage MS with everyone impacted by the condition. She also explained that it has led her to be an engaged supporter of the charity: “Ever since then, I have been wholly committed to doing anything I possibly can to ensure that anyone in my position knows and understands that there is help out there. There is something you can do for yourself. And there is a charity and a community of people, who are there with all sorts of advice that can help you.”
Alexandra Holden, Chief Executive of Overcoming MS, was delighted with the generosity of the Sussex community and the raised profile of the charity as a result of the lunch.
Alexandra said, “Overcoming MS is here for everyone with MS who wants to live a full and healthy life, giving hope for a brighter future with this debilitating disease.”
A fundraising success thanks to Overcoming MS community member, Tim Cobb
Huge thanks to Tim Cobb of Cobb PR, who organised the lunch. He raised an enormous £25k for Overcoming MS. Tim, who also shared his story with guests at the lunch, was diagnosed with MS in 2012. Thank you Tim!