Rennie Grove’s annual Question of Sport fundraising evening has scored a 'personal best', raising a record £80,000.

Corporate supporters of the charity and sports fans alike gathered at Sopwell House for the evening hosted by Sky Sports’ Geoff Shreeves.

Following an ice-breaking 'red or green card' table game, guests were treated to a three-course dinner, with rounds of the sports quiz played between courses.  

A silent auction, raffle and live auction saw attendees bidding on money-can’t-buy prizes, such as tickets to a recording of the TV show 'A League of Their Own' followed by a meet and greet with the stars of the show, and a chance for Geoff Shreeves to bring the Premier League trophy to your child’s school.  

Herts Advertiser: Erin and Becky on the podium at the Question of Sport eveningErin and Becky on the podium at the Question of Sport evening (Image: Rennie Grove Hospice Care)

Guests were reminded of the importance of their fundraising efforts by speeches from some of the charity’s frontline staff.

Erin Beer, IPU Manager at Peace Hospice Care, with which Rennie Grove is currently merging, shared the stories of just some of the patients who have been admitted to the unit recently, to bring to life what her team provides – beyond medical care – to help patients make every moment matter.  

Becky Varvel, head of outpatients and rehabilitation services at the charity, shared her own moving account of the care her mother, Sue, received from Rennie Grove.

Sue had dedicated much of her working life to Rennie Grove, prior to her retirement in 2019, and Becky spoke about the comfort that came with being on the receiving end of the exceptional care offered by Rennie Grove, after Sue became ill last summer and sadly died later that year. 

Lisa Meagher, corporate partnerships manager at Rennie Grove, said: "It was incredible to see the business community in and around St Albans come together to support this year’s event.

"From buying tickets to bidding on auction prizes and taking part in the raffle, every single person who came along helped us to reach this record-breaking fundraising amount.  

"I’d like to thank our host Geoff Shreeves and organiser Kevin Luckhurst as well as main sponsor, Aitchison Raffety, and our drinks sponsor, Kane Group, for their support to make the evening a great success.

"Every penny raised will be used to provide vital care for people in our community who are living with a progressive life-limiting illness." 

If you’d like to become a corporate supporter of Rennie Grove please contact lisa.meagher@renniegrove.org.