The George Skeates Annual Fun Run will be held in Stockbridge, on Sunday 12th January 2020.

The run is a cross-country event for runners, walkers and mountain bikers, with both a 3-mile route and an 8-mile route to choose from. The shorter course is mainly tarmac, whilst the longer course is slightly muddier, across fields.

Entry fees:

ADVANCE Entries (by 31 Dec):  Adults – £12.00    Children/Unemployed/Oppressed – £5.00

On day entries (from 1 Jan):        Adults – £15.00    Children – £6.00

Those taking part should arrive at 9:30am for a 10am start.  The run starts and ends at The Town Hall on Stockbridge High Street (SO20 6HE).

Following the race there will be refreshments and a raffle in the Town Hall, where you’ll be able to warm up and celebrate your achievement.  It’s a lovely morning and what better way to work off some Xmas pudding!

Money raised from the event goes to the George Skeates Benevolent Fund, with beneficiaries including The INSPIRE Foundation and Wessex Heartbeat.  George was treated for his spinal injury in the Spinal Unit at Salisbury District Hospital and continues to support associated charities.

How to Enter: 

Details can be found on the entry form, which you can download by clicking the following link: Fun Run Entry Form

L to R: Patron John Glen MP, Director Rory Steevenson with Guest Anthony Hillier

On Thursday 14th November we enjoyed a wonderful evening of food and wine at Salisbury Guildhall.  The event was attended by approximately 80 people including local MP and INSPIRE Patron, John Glen.

Charles Steevenson of Steevenson Wines talked us through an array of red and white wines from around the world whilst Emma Harrison and her team served a delicious 3 course supper.  There was a lively auction selling, in particular, 3 original paintings by INSPIRE friend Marek Nawrat followed by a raffle.  Winner of the silent auction for a free flight (kindly donated by Aerobility) was Trustee; Dr Jonathan Rudge MSc.

INSPIRE Patron, Nessie Owen was there to sign her lovely new Cook to INSPIRE book..

We’d like to thank everyone who joined us and gave so generously to the charity.

A selection of photos from the night by Sue Ford: suzie.ford@hotmail.co.uk 

Over £4,000 raised!!

A huge thank you to Will Ross’s friends; Joe Burkmar, Mike Coe, James Davies, Tim Hannibal, Rew Leonard, Dave Perry, Lewis Whitehouse and Nick Townend  who on the 26th August embarked on a 600 mile bike ride from Poole to Jersey ‘the long way round’. The ride took them from Poole in Dorset, to Folkestone in Kent, across the Channel and on to St-Malo in France. Here they crossed to Jersey where they finished with a lap of the island supported by all of Will’s family, friends and local cyclists, including Will himself on a hand bike! This feat took them 6 days, and saw them cycle an average 115 miles a day followed by a 30-ish mile lap of Jersey on the final day.

You can read Will’s story here and donate via Just Giving:

On Saturday 13^th July INSPIRE ran the morning’s events at the Rundle Cup Polo Tournament at Tidworth Polo Club.  These included two chukkas of polo with the Quilter Cheviot Eventers (Mark Corbett, Dan Jocelyn, Zara Tindall & Maj Gen Robert Talbot-Rice) being narrowly beaten by 2 goals to 1 by the Baylis & Harding Jockeys (Alan Daly, Keiran Burke, Trainer Jamie Snowden and Elspeth Talbot-Rice QC).  The Charity wheelchair relay was won by the INSPIRE team, Vaughan Webber, Bear Firth (Captain), the Honourable Katherine Cecil and Fred Cook. After a spectacular drop in by a combined military freefall team and a legacy presentation in memory of Stuart Rees, the lightning fast Two Furlong Dash was won by Ben Hicks (from Jamie Snowden Racing) beating 2008 Grand National winner, Timmy Murphy Rees and national hunt jockey Nick Scholfield.

A wonderful day was had by all and approximately £13,000 raised for INSPIRE’s research programme.  A huge thank you to our sponsors Quilter Cheviot Investment Management, Baylis & Harding and Henchman Ltd not to mention all our fantastic volunteers without whom we could not achieve such an event.  A special thank you also to Elspeth and Robert Talbot-Rice who supplied all the ponies.

We were very lucky, thanks to our Patron Freddy Tylicki, to have Sky Sports ‘At the Races’ with us who put together this wonderful video: At the Races  A huge thank you to them for taking the time to support INSPIRE.

Photos from the day….to order prints you can contact Susan Ford at suzie.ford@hotmail.co.uk  Mobile: 07977126076

We were blessed with a wonderful sunny day at Kempton Park races for our fundraising.

We were delighted that INSPIRE Patron Freddy Tylicki, who many of you will remember had a very serious fall at Kempton Park in October 2016, joined us for the afternoon to help raise awareness of the charity.

‘The INSPIRE Foundation Freddy Tylicki Novices’ Hurdle Race was won by ‘Locker Room Talk’ – trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies.

Above: Freddy Tylicki with the winning trainer and above right: winning horse ‘Locker Room Talk’.

Above: Mary Field – winner of the INSPIRE raffle who took home a bronze ‘Trotting Warm Blood’ statue by Dorset sculptress Harriet Glen.

The INSPIRE Channel Islands Reception was held on Thursday 2nd May 2019, at the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, St Helier. Our aim was to develop our network of Grant Making Trusts throughout the Channel Islands by illustrating our endeavours and our need for funding.  INSPIRE Trustee Dr Stephen Duckworth OBE who broke his neck on the rugby field in 1981, spoke about ‘The Realities of Spinal Cord Injury’.

We were honoured to welcome Senator John Le Fondré, Chief Minister of Jersey amongst other guests including; medical specialists, therapists and also members, patrons, trustees and friends of the wider INSPIRE family.  Throughout the evening guests enjoyed a selection of drinks and canapés.

Please click on this link to view photos from the evening.

Photos by Studio M, St Helier  E:  studio@thestudiom.com  W: www.thestudiom.com

We are very lucky to have secured funding in advance to enable the charity to sponsor projects into the debilitating condition of pressure sores, or to be correct pressure ulcers (PrUs).

INSPIRE brought together subject matter experts at Principal Investigator (PI) level from the UK and Ireland to conduct a ‘Sandpit  Seminar’.  Presentations by selected specialists included Professor Laurence Kenney,  Chairman of INSPIRE’s National Scientific Committee (NSC) and Trustee Dr Stephen Duckworth OBE who set the scene, before the Keynote speaker Prof Dan Bader DSc Professor of Bioengineering and Tissue Health at the University of Southampton who addressed the seminar on novel technological approaches to PrUs.  The seminar was then split up into multi-disciplined workshops to consider evolving research.  After the seminar delegates were invited to consider submitting a proposal known as an Outline Future Project (OFP) to take forward research ideas.  Three prizes of £500 each have been awarded by a specialist panel to assist project teams planning their Letters of Intent (LOIs) in accordance with INPSIRE’s normal protocol.  Our aim is to have projects identified with funding secured by Autumn 2019.

Click here to see who the three £500 prize winners were.

Anyone still wanting to submit a LOI can do so in the usual way: Project Application

Below are a few photos to capture the day:

Volunteers needed to help man the stall at Salisbury market on Saturday 22nd September.  Please contact Helen on 01722 336262 Ex 2465

A wonderful evening was had by all at our annual Autumn Charity Supper at Radnor Hall with delicious food by Emma Harrison of Complete Catering.

Photos from the evening by Karen Hitchlock: karenhitchlock@gmail.com……

On Tuesday 16^th October 2018, we held another very enjoyable reception in the River Room at the House of Lords. The event was hosted by INSPIRE Patron Baroness Masham of Ilton DL with over seventy Patrons, friends, scientists and trustees present and we were honoured to have a very warm welcome speech from The Lord Speaker.

INSPIRE Director, Rory Steevenson used this opportunity to appraise the gathering of the INSPIRE Foundation’s current and future research programme; he made special mention of the sponsors and grant making trusts who had made significant donations to the charity for the purpose of scientific research into spinal cord injury.

During the evening PhD student Alison Symond was awarded an INSPIRE Foundation scholarship enabling her to take a PhD research project: Spinal Pain.  Alison graduated at the University of Glasgow in June 2017 with an MEng with Honours of the First Class.

POLO 2018 RAISES £9,000

THE RUNDLE CUP TOURNAMENT
As the ‘warm up act’ for the annual Rundle Cup, on Saturday 14^th July,  at Tidworth Polo Club, the INSPIRE Foundation again organised the highly successful pre-lunch charity tournament. Richard Firth, MD of our main sponsor Quilter Cheviot Investment Management (Salisbury) fielded one team while Tania Slater of Baylis & Harding sponsored the second.  Each team of four players and ponies competed in two chukkas for the Benney Memorial Trophy in memory of INSPIRE’s founding Polo Patrons the late Gerald & Janet Benney. Their legacy lives on through their daughter Mrs Genevieve Holmes MVO, a much valued INSPIRE Patron.  With these wonderful pictures, our gifted photographer Karen Hitchlock captures the atmosphere perfectly.

THE RACING FOUNDATION PRESENTS £17,500 TO INSPIRE
Using the polo as a fitting backdrop, spectators witnessed the moving presentation of a magnificent donation by the Racing Foundation for £17,500 towards INSPIRE’s research programme.  Tansy Challis the Racing Foundation’s Grant Manager presented the cheque to Professor Peter Ellaway Chairman of INSPIRE’s National Scientific Committee and SCI polo player Doctor Fran Townend, who despite severe spinal cord and other injuries, bravely stood with a borrowed crutch in front of the packed grandstand for the ceremony.

POLO TEAMS
Quilter Cheviot’s Team (pink shirts numbered as below) and the Winners by 2 – 1 goals
No 1. Major Harry Wallace, Commanding Officer, Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery
No 2. Dr Fran Townend, an unusual talent as a spinal cord injured polo player
No 3. Ed Barker, local land owner, polo player and provider of ponies
No 4. Elspeth Talbot Rice QC talented and generous polo supremo
Baylis & Harding Team with a decidedly international dimension
No 1.  Mark Corbett, 3 day eventer, Junior British Equestrian Coach
No 2.  Dan Jocelyn, New Zealand World and Olympic level eventer
No 3.  Alberto Giugni Italian European and World Class Eventing teams since 2005
No 4.  Maj Gen Robert Talbot Rice, past chairman of Army Polo, family horse box driver and generous provider of ponies

HENCHMAN Two Furlong Dash This year, the Two Furlong Dash was generously sponsored by Tom Kitching, Managing Director of HENCHMAN, manufacturers of the famous tripod safety ladders and other garden and yard equipment.  This exciting race, two lengths of the polo field with an unusual 180 degree turn at the far end was contested by three amateur jockeys:

Red.    Alexander Ferguson riding Barbarita who came home by a short head
White. Zac Ferguson riding ‘Red’
Blue.    Hugh Nugent riding ‘Indie’

In Addition:  Teams competed in the wheelchair relay won convincingly by INSPIRE’s surprise team with the Hon Katharine Cecil as our secret lightweight jockey! In the midst of this flurry of activity, there was just time for a spectacular freefall display by the Royal Navy’s Parachute Display Team.

INSPIRE guests then enjoyed a sumptuous three course lunch prepared by Emma Harrison Catering.  The beautifully decorated marquee was full of fragrant blooms expertly arranged by Daphne Smith and her team of helpers Rose Carnegy, Pippa Giles, Carole Ann Michels and Mo Morgan.  At the end of the day our guests were able to take flowers home for suitable donations which added to our bottom line.

Our auction raised nearly £5000!  Lots, kindly donated included, a bronze horse statuette entitled A ‘Spring in the Step’ by Vivien Mallock, a weekend at Pentillie Castle on the River Tamar by Ted Coryton, HENCHAMN garden equipment by Tom Kitching, Hospitality Tickets to Twickenham by Quilter Cheviot Investment Management and a 5 litre bottle of claret by our wine sponsor of 5 years, Charles Steevenson founding owner of Steevenson Wines.  Midway through his stride, the auctioneer was interrupted by Major Harry Wallace who offered a day for two with King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery including a 41 gun salute.  The auctioneer instantly doubled it to four people and in a flash raised £800.

In all approximately £9,000 was raised during Polo 2018 after a thoroughly pleasant if hot summer’s day.  To all those who helped, took part, attended or donated so generously, THANK YOU! Photographs by:  karenhitchlock@gmail.com

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POLO 2019 Please Note:  Tickets are already being reserved for Polo 2019 (either Saturday 6^th or 13^th July).  Options include the full blown marquee option with everything from wine to car parking included at £75.00 per person to the family orientated picnic option at £25.00 per car! For further details: email: events@inspire-foundation.org.uk or Tel:    01722 336262 Ext 2465

George Skeates Fun Run 2018

Run, cycle or walk…the long course comprises approximately 8 miles of grassy, rutted and muddy tracks linked with sections of tarmac.  Expect tough & slippery going with risk of punctures for cyclists.  The short course is ~3 miles on road & track (flat).

Sign up in advance for reduced entry fee.  All proceeds go to the George Skeates Benevolent Fund who support The INSPIRE Foundation and Wessex Heartbeat.

Join us for a day at the races in June where INSPIRE will be sponsoring The Veteran’s Handicap Stakes race again.

Volunteers are particularly welcome to help with collecting money on the gates.

Please call Helen on 01722 336262 Ex 2465 if you can spare an hour or two.

Len and Tracey on the wall

A huge thank you and well done to Len Christoper and his daughter Tracey Parkes who walked the length of Hadrian’s Wall in memory of Alan Christopher.  A distance of approximately 86 miles!  They raised an amazing £800 for The INSPIRE Foundation.

We had a very successful and enjoyable evening down by the river in Harnham raising a toast and auctioning some of Paddy Waring’s paintings and artefacts.  We were joined by many INSPIRE friends including some Naval chums of Paddy’s from many years ago – it was great to see everyone.

Photos below by Karen Hitchlock – karenhitchlock@gmail.com

More than 150 runners and cyclists braved the January weather for the 31st George Skeates charity event.

Our thanks goes to Jeremy Crossman who organises the event giving all proceeds to the George Skeates Benevolent Fund who support The INSPIRE Foundation and Wessex Heartbeat.

See full report and photos from the Southern Daily Echo:

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/15827166.PHOTOS__Annual_fun_run_returns_to_village/

A few more photos from the morning are below…

George Skeates waving the starter flag for the bikes

…and for the runners..

Andy Morris over the winning line

and George Skeates finishes

If anyone would like to volunteer on the stall for an hour or two or if you have any Xmas items we can sell please contact Helen in the office:

Tel: 01722 336262 Ex 2465

Many thanks

Helen

A wonderful evening was enjoyed at the Radnor Hall with canapes and fine Italian food by Marco Stefanini of La Lambretta, Fordingbridge.

Photos by Karen Hitchlock…..

11am-5pm

Join us for a wonderful afternoon wandering the beautiful gardens of Cheriton Cottage.  There will be stalls to browse and as always tea and a delicious array of cakes will be on offer.

Entry: £5 per adult (children free).  All proceeds from the day will kindly be donated by Lord & Lady Amherst to The INSPIRE Foundation.

Volunteers are very much welcome to help on the INSPIRE stall or in the tea marquee.

Disabled Access: Most of the grounds are flat and on paths.

Cheriton Cottage, Cheriton, Hampshire SO24 0PR

Click for Map

Join us for a day at the races in June where INSPIRE will be sponsoring The Veteran’s Handicap Stakes race again.

Last year it was won by Pettochside ridden by Josephine Gordon:

Volunteers are particularly welcome to help with collecting money on the gates.

Please call Helen on 01722 336262 Ex 2465 if you can spare an hour or two.

The sun shone all day for the Rundle Cup on Saturday 8^th July 2017 at Tidworth Polo Club.  The INSPIRE Foundation fielded two teams sponsored by our main sponsors Quilter Cheviot Investment Management and Baylis & Harding.  They competed for the Benney Memorial Trophy remembering Gerald & Janet Benney co-founders of INSPIRE Polo.  This year the team captains were husband and wife Maj Gen Robert Talbot-Rice and his wife Elspeth and included able bodied and disabled players who concluded proceedings with a gentlemanly 2 – 2 draw.

This year our players included Captain Guy Disney of the Light Dragoons who was wounded in action in Afghanistan and subsequently lost his right leg; he has gone on to establish himself as a fine amateur jockey.  In addition Doctor Frances Townend played for the Quilter Cheviot Team despite having suffered a spinal cord injury in 2013.

This was followed by a wheelchair relay started by Freddy Tylicki whose infamous four horse pile up on 31^st October 2016 at Kempton Park caused him to break 18 ribs and his lower back resulting in permanent paralysis.  He and his lovely mum Irene were welcomed with rapturous applause by the large grandstand crowd; the race was won by INSPIRE’s surprise team with members especially chosen for their youthful svelte physiques.  We then hosted the Army’s Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers Freefall Team who dropped in right in front of the grandstand before the Richard Griffiths Two Furlong dash.  This exciting three horse race was won by Therese Rijckevorsel, a Swedish three day eventer supporting us for the fifth year.

One hundred and eighty INSPIRE guests then enjoyed a marquee drinks reception with most of them staying for a delicious three course lunch prepared by Emma Harrison Catering.  The beautifully decorated marquee was full of fragrant blooms expertly arranged by Daphne Smith and her team of helpers.  At the end of the day our guests were able to take flowers home for suitable donations which added to the blossoming kitty.

An auction and raffle of gifted lots raised £5000 the highest bid being £1400 for a trip to the Bale Lodge game reserve in Ethiopia and owned by Guy and Yvonne Levene whose son Max suffered a severe spinal injury as a rugby playing school boy. We were also given a wonderful ‘Day on the Gallops’ prize including dinner bed and breakfast with a morning at Kingsclere with the Balding family which raised a further £650.  Approximately £10,000 was raised in total from the day.

Photos by Karen Hitchlock…

karenhitchlock@gmail.com

Another successful day at the races albeit a little damp! We raised a healthy £745.00

The INSPIRE Foundation Veteran’s Handicap Stakes race was won by Pettochside ridden by Josephine Gordon.

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Many thanks to all our volunteers who came to help on the day.

A wonderful sunny day was enjoyed wandering the beautiful gardens of Cheriton Cottage.  The day was topped off with delicious tea and cakes.

All proceeds from the refreshments will kindly be donated by Lord & Lady Amherst to The INSPIRE Foundation.  Thank you so much to all the volunteers who gave up so much time to help.

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A lovely sunny day was spent at Salisbury Market on 2nd May meeting lots of interesting customers and making £124!

If anyone has Christmas items to donate we will be back in December at the Christmas Market.

A fantastic sunny day out at Wincanton Races where we raised an amazing £880.20!

A huge thank you to all our volunteers who came to help.

We will be at Salisbury Racecourse for the Bibury Cup Day on Wednesday 28th June – please contact Helen in the office if you able to come and help: 01722 336262 Ext: 2465

Many thanks