KRISS AKABUSI JOINS CHARITY DINNER FOR NSPCC

A charity dinner to celebrate two decades of local fundraising for the NSPCC will welcome sporting legend and motivational speaker Kriss Akabusi MBE as its special guest.

The Peterborough NSPCC Business Support Group notches up its 20th anniversary this year, and is marking the occasion with a gala dinner on Friday November 18.

The group, made up of members of the local business community, has raised almost £800,000 since it began – with all money raised being used to support vulnerable children and young people in and around the Peterborough area.

The black tie event at the Holiday Inn West will give guests the chance to enjoy a four-course dinner as well as celebrate the group’s achievements.

Among those attending the dinner will be inspirational guest speaker, former athlete and sports/TV personality Kriss Akabusi – founder and CEO of The Akabusi Charitable Trust (TACT).

Kriss knows first hand the experiences of children in vulnerable situations, having been in care from the age of four until 12 – and, along with his brother, having suffered various forms of abuse during those challenging early years.

He said: “The work of the NSPCC fits with my demographics in terms of my Trust and the work we are doing to support young people, some of whom have been in care and not had the best start in life, who are moving from education into employment.

“My parents put me in care when I was just four-years-old, and I know first hand the damage that can be done mentally and physically to children in those situations.

“My philosophy is – it’s not where you start, but where you finish. No one should forget their past, but the past is for reference only – it’s about working with what you have, allowing key people into your life and with their support, turning things into a positive.”

Kriss will be talking about his experiences during the course of the evening, and on a lighter note will touch on his amazing sporting and television career, including Olympic and European Championship medals and his time as presenter of the classic TV show Record Breakers in the 1990s.

As well as moving words from Kriss, a speaker from the NSPCC will be updating guests on the current work of the children’s charity – as well as two inspirational young Ambassadors for the NSPCC taking about their experience of what help can be offered by an NSPCC children’s centre.

Event organiser Carol Collier said: “We have had an amazing year of fundraising so far, and this dinner culminates in the success and celebrates the work the group has been able to support. We are absolutely thrilled to have Kriss Akabusi as our guest speaker on what promises to be a very memorable evening.”

Anyone interested in booking tickets, tables or finding out about exciting sponsorship opportunities for the event can contact Carol Collier on 07710 109660 or email carol@tme.uk.com.

Earlier this year, the Group raised  £23,000 from the Strictly Razzamatazz event, featuring Strictly Come Dancing stars Anton du Beke and Erin Boag, who performed four show dances and then auctioned a dance with members of the audience to support the fund-raising efforts.

ESP featured the event in our Paparazzi section. Photos: Emma Bothamley for ESP Magazine.