British Blind Sport to mark 40 years of success with Anniversary Dinner
This year, British Blind Sport, the National Disability Sports Organisation for visually impaired people is celebrating its 40th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the charity is hosting a Ruby Anniversary Gala Dinner on Thursday 26 November at the Mallory Court Hotel in Leamington Spa.
Founded in 1975, British Blind Sport prides itself on 'making a visible difference through sport' and breaking down barriers to participation and encouraging more visually impaired children and adults to take part in sport and physical activity. An important milestone for the charity, the Gala Dinner is part of a series of celebratory events taking place throughout 2015 to mark 40 year of success.
The evening promises to be a fantastic night with many faces from the world of sport, including a number of paralympians and special guests in attendance. Two guest speakers already confirmed for the Dinner are British Blind Sport patron, David Moorecroft OBE and Lord Chris Holmes MBE.
David (pictured right) is a former middle-distance and long-distance runner and the former world record holder of the 5,000 metres. He is the current UK record holder of the 3,000 metres. His athletic career spanned the late 1970s and 1980s. He subsequently served as the Chief Executive of UK Athletics from 1997 to 2007 and continues to make a huge contribution to sport. David is currently the Director of Sport for Join In, the national charity for local sports volunteering.
British Blind Sport Chief Executive Officer, Alaina MacGregor said:
'2015 is a year of celebration for British Blind Sport and for David to join us in our 40th anniversary year is very special to the charity and our members. BBS recognises David as a successful British athlete in his own right. He is a person who has used his ability and passion to strive to help others achieve their best through sport. This is a value that aligns to all that we hope to achieve for visually impaired people from grassroots to Paralympic level.'
Lord Chris Holmes MBE (pictured top right) is Britain’s most successful Paralympic swimmer, winning a record six gold medals at a single games and a total of nine gold, five silver and two bronze medals across four Games. Now as Director of Paralympic Integration for London 2012 and a lifelong campaigner for equality and inclusion, Chris was appointed to the House of Lords in 2013 as Lord Holmes of Richmond MBE. Chris currently divides his time between parliamentary work, a role as Head of Disability at the Equality and Human Rights Commission and various speaking, consultancy and charitable commitments.
Commenting about British Blind Sport’s 40 years of success, Lord Holmes said:
'I am delighted and honoured to be speaking at the British Blind Sport 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner. I know just how much sport can offer visually impaired people and knowing the amazing work that British Blind Sport has done in their 40 years and continues to do is genuinely inspiring. I am looking forward to what promises to be a great night celebrating British Blind Sport.'
If you would like to join British Blind Sport for a night of celebrations, tickets are available to purchase. To book your tickets and for more details about the Gala Dinner, please contact British Blind Sport, Fundraising Manager Ian Carr on 01926 424247, or email fundraising@britishblindsport.org.uk.
More information about British Blind Sport and the Ruby Anniversary Gala Dinner on their website.
