Winter Dinner Dance 2024 raises more than £110,000 for Spinal Injuries Scotland

Digby Brown helped raise a massive £110,005 for Spinal Injuries Scotland (SIS) at its Winter Dinner Dance last week.

550 guests attended the 21st annual extravaganza at the Doubletree by Hilton in Glasgow and dug deep to support survivors of spinal cord injuries.

Hosted by top broadcaster, Des Clarke, attendees enjoyed an evening full of shenanigans expected from the yearly fundraiser like games, prizes and a special guest performance from award-winning comedian Seann Walsh.

Last year's event brought in an impressive £117,997 boosted by a generous individual donation. This year, a record-breaking total of more than £110,000 was raised directly from the dinner itself - the highest milestone in the dinner's 21-year history.

Through its work at the Queen Elizabeth Spinal Injuries Unit in Glasgow and outreach programmes the charity provides bespoke hands-on support to help spinal cord injury survivors and their families adjust to a new way of life.

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Graeme Stewart, Peer Support Advisor at SIS, gave an emotional speech about navigating his future after suffering a spinal injury at the age of just 16 and why working for the charity means so much to him.

Addressing the Winter Dinner Dance he said: “After the accident I faced the big question: ‘What was I going to do with my life?’

“I knew I had more to give... I went on to play wheelchair rugby league, representing Scotland in two World Cups and even captaining the team.

“When I got the opportunity to work with Spinal Injuries Scotland, I knew I’d found my calling.

“I’ve witnessed the profound impact of our charity - from empowering individuals to pursue their goals to ensuring they never feel alone in their journey.

“It’s an honour to be part of a team that changes lives.”

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Craig Semple, Marketing Director at Digby Brown and Chief Party Organiser (CPO) of the event commented: “The feedback from this year’s event has been amazing, the dinner feels more and more like a family affair. Everyone who attended is very much up for having some fun.

“The fact that tables were sold out with six weeks to go is testament to an incredibly loyal audience. They return each year without any clues in terms of the madness that we have in store or the surprise guest we bestow upon them.

“We’re already looking at the date for next year and preparing to do it all again.”

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Maureen Morrison, Chief Executive Officer at SIS, said: “The Winter Dinner Dance is vital to Spinal Injuries Scotland as the funds raised allow us to continue supporting people across the country as they rebuild their lives after spinal cord injuries.

“We’re incredibly thankful to Digby Brown for the dedication and effort poured into the Winter Dinner Dance - it means our charity can keep making a big impact year after year for those who need it most.”

Chris Stewart, Partner and Head of Digby Brown’s Serious Injury Department, said: “The generosity of guests each year is always incredibly humbling and really highlights the importance they, rightly, place on the work of Spinal Injuries Scotland.

“The charity matters to hundreds across the country and that’s why we’ve continued to work passionately alongside them for more than two decades.

“Huge thanks to Des Clarke for hosting, Seann Walsh for providing the laughs on the night, and everyone working hard behind the scenes who made the night possible.”

Learn more about Digby Brown’s work with Spinal Injuries Scotland.