Winter Dinner Dance 2018

The 16th Digby Brown Winter Dinner Dance for Spinal Injuries Scotland took place on Friday 2nd November at The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels Glasgow Central. This prestigious event was attended by over 540 guests and raised an outstanding £80,000, the highest amount since the event began. Spinal Injuries Scotland’s relationship with Digby Brown has been ongoing for a long time, and this event is an important one in both of our diaries.

Nathan Macqueen, Andy Richardson, and Andy Nisbett

Ross Barber

Radio DJ Des Clarke was back compering this year in his usual inimitable style after taking a break last year. He got the night off to an excellent start introducing the forensic mind reader Colin Cloud. Colin amazed the audience with his mind reading ability and accurate predictions.

Former Peer Support volunteer and Paralympic archer Nathan MacQueen, who sustained a spinal injury in a motorbike crash, gave an emotional speech highlighting the great work done by Spinal Injuries Scotland.

The entertainment didn’t stop there, with Des Clarke hosting a series of games that included family classics ‘Play Your Cards Right’, ‘Family Fortunes’ and ‘The Generation Game’ which had audience members up on the stage remembering several objects that were walked over by volunteers.

Paralympian archer Nathan MacQueen

Ross Barber

A live rendition of U2’s ‘Beautiful Day’ was performed by members of Spinal Injuries Scotland, organisers and guests from the evening, with a video that featured the performers and those who couldn’t make it on the night.

A live rendition of U2's "Beautiful Day"

Ross Barber

Our auction and tombola are a regular feature of the Winter Dinner Dance, and we once again had donations of some fantastic prizes. These included a diamond drop pendant from our patrons Harry and Tracey Brown of Chisholm Hunter, who gratefully support us every year. The hospitality at Ayr Raceday for 6 also went down a storm. This year the silent auction raised over £11,000 and we are thankful to everyone who donated and bid on prizes. Special thanks must go to Lyndsey Gardiner and Sam Whyte who kept these events running smoothly.

Play your cards right

Ross Barber

The most talked about prize of the night was the car which could be won in the raffle, courtesy of Digby Brown. The lucky winner was delighted to receive such a significant prize!

Our Ambassador for Spinal Injuries Scotland Joanna Martin once more gave words of thanks to all our guests for coming and supporting our event every year. Joanna also mentioned that we are looking for Board Trustees. So if you are interested please get in touch with the Spinal Injuries Scotland office.

Alex Findlay and family (below)

Ross Barber

Chris Stewart, Partner and Head of Serious Injury at Digby Brown, gave thanks and said: “It’s nothing short of humbling to witness the generosity of those who attend every year, but to then realise they’ve helped raise the highest amount ever at £80,400 is just astonishing.

“Every day we see first-hand the devastating impact a spinal cord injury can have and we know from speaking to our clients how grateful they are for the support offered by SIS.

“Spinal Injuries Scotland matters to hundreds across the nation and that’s why we’ve continued to work passionately alongside them for more than 20 years.

“Thank you to everyone who attended on the night, to Des Clarke for his energetic hosting and to everyone behind the scenes who made the night possible.”

On behalf of everyone at Spinal injuries Scotland we would like to give special thanks to Chris Stewart, Susan Lawrie and Craig Semple for their support and outstanding effort they put into making the Winter Dinner Dance a resounding success every year. We also want to thank our committed volunteers, sponsors, fundraisers, office staff and the clinical team in the QUENSIU. We could not do what we do without your generous support.