Thank you speeches - Lucy McOuat

Winter Dinner Dance 2023

We are over the moon to announce, after all the I’s have been dotted, the T’s crossed and several calculators drained, that the record breaking fundraising total for the Digby Brown/Spinal Injuries Scotland Winter Dinner Dance 2023 is

£117,997

This beats the previous record set last year of £102,101

What a way to celebrate the 20^th anniversary event!

                                SIS Allstars

Digby Brown has been unwavering in its commitment to SIS over the last 20 years and in this time have raised a phenomenal £1,115,456 via the Winter Dinner Dance. All of which goes towards helping us continue to provide advice, information and education for people with, both new and long term, spinal cord injuries.

More than 500 people turned up to the Doubletree by Hilton in Glasgow on Friday 3^rd November to celebrate and honour the charity and its volunteers at this annual extravaganza.

We would like to thank all at Digby Brown for their commitment and dedication to organizing, but particularly Chris Stewart, Craig Semple, Susan Lawrie, Ann-Marie Rocks and Lyndsey Bell.

Chris Stewart, Partner and Head of Digby Brown’s Serious Injury Department, had this to say about Digby Brown’s involvement.

 “The Digby Brown Winter Dinner Dance for Spinal Injuries Scotland (SIS) is always an extraordinary event and this year's 20th anniversary celebration was no exception. We are always humbled by the generosity of those who attend so to raise £117,997 on the night and reach that £1million milestone really is incredible. Such a landmark doesn’t just recognise 20 years of the Dinner Dance – it recognises 20 years of people… 20 years of dedication… 20 years of families, friends, colleagues and healthcare professionals rallying in celebration, determination, generosity and positivity to improve the future for everyone. Without SIS or its volunteers there are so many people and families who would not have the life-affirming support they deserve – this is why the Dinner Dance and SIS really does matter and why Digby Brown is immensely proud of its long-standing relationship with the charity and its volunteers.

Craig Semple, Director of Marketing at Digby Brown, has been involved in the dinner every year since its inception.

He said: “The Winter Dinner dance has been part of my life for 20 years. In that time, it has grown out of all recognition however throughout these years of change two fundamentals remain: the loyalty of those that buy tables and the fundraising cause. Some might suggest from the feedback we receive that it is now the best charity dinner dance in Scotland, that is for debate, the fact that it has raised now well over £1million for Spinal Injuries Scotland is not.”

 

      Headline Speaker Michelle Moffatt

We were so proud of our speakers on the night, The inspirational Michelle Anna Moffatt left not a dry eye in the house after her emotional speech about living with a spinal injury and the importance of the charity's work in her recovery.

Addressing the Winter Dinner Dance she said:

“I wish I found the charity at the start of my spinal injury. It would not change my challenges or my condition... however, Spinal Injuries Scotland helped me emotionally, mentally, socially and spiritually. Meeting this charity was the answer to my prayer.”

Later on in the evening we were grateful that SIS Chair, Lucy McOuat volunteered to give the speech of thanks to the well-oiled crowd. She looked incredible in her beautiful dress.

 

That's Entertainment! Dara O Briain                                                      Compere Des Clark

As for the evening itself, we were once again joined by Des Clarke as compere and later entertainment was provided by the hilarious Dara Ó Briain.

The evening swung along nicely with guests involved in a post dinner bumper game of Top Trumps, featuring music-video recreations and sing-a-longs. This was interspersed by the auction , which raised £15,000 alone with items open to bidding such as luxury getaway packages, VIP concert tickets for The 1975, Texas and Simple Minds, a signed Manchester United football and a coveted diamond necklace from Chisholm Hunter. The most successful listing on the night was a specially donated oil painting from Glasgow artist Gordon Wilson whose unique ‘Lady Justice’ portrait fetched £1,503.

The remaining funds were raised between table sales, a tombola and a prize-draw raffle.

 

                  SIS Guests, Paralympians Melanie Woods & Nathan MacQueen with CEO Maureen Morrison

We’ll leave the last word to our CEO, Maureen Morrison

“Events like the Winter Dinner Dance are of huge significance to Spinal Injuries Scotland (SIS). Our charity may be small in size but the work we do is not, helping spinally injured people and their families all over Scotland as they rebuild their confidence, independence and futures after a spinal cord injury. Digby Brown has been unwavering in its commitment to SIS over the last 20 years and raising more than £1million in this time via the Winter Dinner Dance is a true testament of our collective strength.”

We all left with our goodie bags (full of Irn bru and lots of fizzy sweets and not forgetting the toothbrush!) heading into the night, already looking forward to next year’s bash (provisionally Friday 1st November 2024, put it in your diaries!)

"Here’s to the next 20 years!”