On Friday the 11th of September nearly one hundred people supported the Top Gun fund raising evening at the Courtyard Theatre in Hereford. The event was an opportunity to watch a classic 80’s movie on the big screen; dress up in 80’s gear and to have as much fun as possible. All of which would hopefully raise funds to buy wheelchairs for KPO members.

The night was a great success and was attended by people in all manners of fancy dress including Ghost Busters, Roller-Girl and Bert Reynolds. It was a unique experience taking alcohol into the cinema which helped to fuel the audience participation to classic quotes and moments in the film - resulting in a great deal of hilarity.

A huge thank you goes to the Courtyard in Hereford for hosting the event and for their continued support. Just over £500 was raised for a great cause and will make a huge difference. For further information on KPO please visit www.kenyanparaplegic.org

Nearly 200 people attended the Charity Salsa Night on 22nd of September, which was hosted by The Courtyard in Hereford. The event was organised by the Courtyard’s Front of House Manager Heather Salisbury and the first indicator that the night was destined to be a huge success was that the tickets sold-out weeks before the event took place.

On the night the participants took part in an hour’s lively Salsa tuition from Havana born Mario Estrada and his wife Angie. Followed by ‘Free-Style’ salsa dancing the night away to the Afro Cuban Salsa band K'chevere!

The night was a huge success and raised close to £1000. Colin and Val would like to say an enormous thank you to The Courtyard, Heather Salisbury, Mario & Angie Estrada and K’chevere for helping to create such a fun and worthwhile event.

On Sunday the 14th of September Mount House School, which is situated on the outskirts of Tavistock, held a 10 mile sponsored walk across Dartmoor National Park. Pupils aged five to eleven took part in the challenge and their combined fundraising efforts raised a staggering £2040.

Colin revisited the school on the 3rd of December to talk about Spinal Injuries and to be presented with a final cheque. It had almost been twelve months since Colin first spoke at Mount House School's annual 'Oracle Lecture', which was when Mount House decided to organise a sponsored walk in aid of Spinal Research.

‘I was incredibly impressed with how much effort had gone into raising such a substantial amount for our cause. It really struck me that walking 10 miles across Dartmoor National Park was a huge challenge for some of the children who took part and it really made me appreciate every effort that was made on our behalf. Furthermore, I would just like to say a special thank you to you Jo Massey for organising such a fantastic fundraiser.’  Colin Javens

Pupils from Edington & Shapwick School, a specialist school for dyslexia, raised an impressive £250 during a non-uniform day for Spinal Research. The school had taken up the cause after Colin had spoken at the schools Prize Giving day earlier on in the year and incidentally where he received a standing ovation as a result of his speech.

Inspired, the school also decided to incorporate Colin’s message of ‘Living your Dreams’ into their school term and in November they welcomed Colin back, not only to present him with a donation but to spend the day sharing their personal dreams with him.

The day began with a visit to Edington Prep School to meet the pupils and to view their artistic images of their dreams and then went onto Shapwick School to meet each of the year groups.

“I would like to thank Colin for visiting Edington & Shapwick School. The pupils found Colin’s story inspiring and helped them understand that their dyslexia does not need to get in the way of them achieving their dreams”. Mrs Walker

If you leave Hereford and drive for twenty minutes through twisting country roads you climb up some undulating Herefordshire hills, patched with green deciduous woods and fields of sheep with fattening lambs until you eventually arrive at Herefordshire Golf Club.

The golf club itself is a well kept secret among Herefordians as it is tucked away in unspoilt countryside, which overlooks neighbouring valleys and in the distance Clee hill in Shropshire can be spotted.  With thanks to the Herefordshire Golf Club this fantastic course with a beautiful backdrop had kindly been donate to Spinal Research WMB for the day to raise money to help fund a cure for paralysis.

Although it looked like the heavens may open at any time, thirty-one teams of four entered the Team Stableford Competition. The first team teed off at 9am and the last team came through at 3.10pm. There were four prizes for the best team scores; golf bags kindly sponsored by Julian Parry, the club’s pro, golf clothing, golf umbrellas and other golf merchandise. There was also prizes for the longest drives and closest to the pin. On their return to the club house each team member enjoyed a delicious buffet prepared by the catering staff at the course.

A day like this wouldn’t happen without the myriad of volunteers who make it possible; we owe a huge vote of thanks to all those who helped out on that day – specifically Dorothy Johnson whose legendary scoring experience made our day much easier.  Sue Hart too - advised and assisted with everything all day long; Linda McKenzie was in her element – surrounded by admiring golfers, some of whom would have liked to take her back to Wales!  Ben Matthews and Heather Salisbury manfully stuck it out on the 13th encouraging players to take part in the Special Competition, whilst Neil Jenkins was a legend helping Colin on the first.  Last but not least – Chrissy Prydun who was just there helping with everything, but particularly the putting competition.  Without the input of volunteers, charity golf days wouldn’t be possible, so once again we would like to say a huge ‘THANK YOU!’ to everyone who assisted us.

Just over £4,000 was raised during the day. Colin and Val Javens who run Spinal Research WMB are absolutely delighted with the outcome.

‘We owe so much thanks to Herefordshire Golf Club, the participants, sponsors and all of our volunteers – with out them this fantastic outcome would not have been possible’ says, Val Javens, the event organiser.

The Royal Oak Suite at the Emirates Stadium was the venue for the 4th Cranfield Sportsman’s Dinner. Approximately 140 guests attended the evening and as they sipped their champagne they overlooked the famous Arsenal Football pitch. The Palm Court Trio, a wonderful wind instrument Band created an ambient atmosphere as the guests gathered during the Reception. The Trumpet sounded and guests were invited into dinner.

Professor Michael Osbaldeston, Director of Cranfield School of Management, gave the opening speech, portraying the history of the association between the Colin Javens Spinal Injury Trust and Cranfield’s MBA Students. He welcomed everyone to the evening prior to the beginning of the scrumptious three course dinner.

Colin’s short speech ended dinner and heralded the beginning of our Charity Auction. Philip Allwood, our esteemed auctioneer for the night, took to the stage to auction seventeen fantastic lots ranging from a holiday in the Seychelles to a tandem sky dive with the Red Devils. Philip’s delivery had the audience transfixed to each lot and the gathering were well entertained with his sharp wit – one of the many highlights of the night.

The hammer coming down for the last time was the cue for Richard Dunwoody, our keynote speaker to entertain our guests. Richard talked about his career in the saddle and of his recent conquest of ‘Shackelton’s route to the South Pole’. It was nothing short of inspirational.

Colin and Val would like to express their sincere thanks to Philip Allwood, Richard Dunwoody MBE and to everyone who supported the event or who donated a prize to the auction. They are also incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from Cranfield School of Management and in particular Vinayak Krishna and Philip Oh (MBA students 07/08) who have donated so much of their time to spearhead the organisation of this event, whilst undertaking a challenging MBA at Cranfield. The final total raised is still to be confirmed. Many thanks.