Will Jefferson Raises Money Hosting a Charity Dinner

After gaining an insight into the world of events organisation and management working in the London offices of Harvey Thorneycroft, the former Northampton Saints and England A winger, Will Jefferson, was inspired to hold a charity dinner himself to raise money for Bowel Cancer UK and Norfolk Youth Cricket.

“Bowel Cancer UK was an obvious charity to support because of losing my mother three years ago after a lengthy battle with the disease, along with Norfolk Youth Cricket as my father, Richard, has been raising money through the 'Friends of Norfolk Youth Cricket' for the past 14 years.”  

The event was held at Morston Hall, where the 70 guests were treated to a Michelin-starred five course meal. The auction of promises raised over £5,000 and the highlight of the evening was the after dinner entertainment provided by Darren Bicknell, the former Surrey and Nottinghamshire opening batsman, interviewing the guest of honour for the night, Ashes winning opening batsman Alastair Cook. Cook spoke openly about his career, the most recent famous Ashes victory, the current tour to South Africa, his thoughts of captaincy in the future, as well as a few insights into some of the characters in the England dressing room.

“From gathering a contacts base and sending the letters out in February, to the continual organisation required throughout the summer, the accumulation of auction prizes suitable for the night and the communication with the hotel, the whole process was a huge learning curve into running an event, and discovering what a full scale operation it is to put together a dinner of this size.  

“All the hard work and effort was rewarded though, not only as everyone present can look back with very fond memories of the evening, and we have some great photos courtesy of my professional photographer brother, Rupert Jefferson, but more importantly the overall figure raised from the night was £12,000, which was spilt equally between the two charities. As I said to Cookie the following day, I would love to invite him back in four years as the Ashes winning captain, to which he nodded his head with approval!”

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