Sports stars line up to support local charities

Pictured at the dinner are (from left) Geoff Miller, Luke Campbell, Mrs Husaina Ragwala, Haltemprice Lions President Dr Gulu Ragwala, Chris Cowdrey.

THE Yorkshire Bank in Hull helped two local charities maximise their revenue from a fundraising dinner by sponsoring the event as part of its annual Business Week.

Victims of bullying and people undergoing treatment for cystic fibrosis will benefit from money raised at the dinner, which was organised by Haltemprice Lions and brought together three sporting greats.

Hull’s Olympic champion boxer Luke Campbell, former England cricket captain Chris Cowdrey and test cricket all-rounder Geoff Miller lined up to raise money for the Luke Campbell Foundation and CHIEF – Cystics of Hull Independent Equipment Fund.

Miller and Cowdrey entertained guests with anecdotes from their cricket careers, and Luke Campbell told how the reaction of children to his success at the London Olympics encouraged him to do something for them.

He said: “I started the Luke Campbell Foundation after the Olympics because I want to do something to inspire the next generation. Seeing the little kids who were looking up to me made me decide that in between training I would put my free time into going round schools, inspiring kids, building confidence and motivation.

“More recently we have been looking into the bullying side of things and how kids are affected, including on social media. We are working with kids who are being bullied and building up their confidence, supporting them and raising awareness of the problem.”

Parents of children who have cystic fibrosis founded CHIEF more than 20 years ago and have since raised thousands of pounds to support families and improve facilities.

Helen Perring-Dobbs, whose 21-year-old son Ashley Dobbs is awaiting a double lung transplant, said the money raised from the sporting dinner will help to provide equipment for ward 500 at Hull Royal Infirmary.

Helen said: “We also raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust nationally but this event will help patients in the new ward, which is for adults who have cystic fibrosis and other respiratory conditions. We are delighted that Haltemprice Lions are helping us to raise money for something which will help local people.”

Anthony Hutt, Head of Business and Private Banking for Yorkshire Bank in Hull and Humber said: “The Luke Campbell Foundation and CHIEF are both fantastic local charities doing great work and Yorkshire Bank is pleased to have been able to contribute, as part of our Business Week, and help facilitate fund-raising for two good causes.”