The Ball Committee for the Sir William Perkins’s School Rowing Club were thrilled to bits when their first fundraising endeavour generated a huge £1,000 donation for The Stephanie Marks Diabetes Appeal. Held in March at Royal Holloway, University of London, 120 people had a great time dancing the night away. 11 pupils from the School worked with the Ball Committee during the evening to make the occasion an overwhelming success.



Rowing Club Ball Committee members Rebecca O’Hara and Gill Eastwood explained that their goal was to raise funds for Sir William Perkins’s School Rowing Club and support a local charity. They had a brainstorming session to decide which cause to support. Liz Bernard, School Director of Rowing, who has nurtured the Rowing Club from its launch around four years ago to a thriving extra curricular activity; was also Stephanie’s Marks’s form teacher. “Most of us know someone with diabetes, there are several pupils living with the condition at Sir William Perkins’s and one of the Appeal’s top fundraisers Teacher Peter Davies has rowed with the Club at novice events,” commented Gill. “As Sir William Perkins’s School has been a strong supporter of the Charity since its launch, the Appeal seemed a natural choice and ticked all the boxes”, commented Rebecca.

“The response we got from people was inspiring,” added Val Alderson. “We were able to raise money through ticket sales and donations. I was also the auctioneer which was a first for me! Some super prizes contributed to the success of the day and I was able to raise £150 from auctioning a cricket bat signed by Appeal Patron, Sir Ian Botham.”

Receiving the cheque on behalf of The Stephanie Marks Appeal, Clive Thompson, CBE, and Chair of the Appeal thanked the Ball Committee for all their hard work and wished the rowing club all the best for the future.