The DRWF Fundraising Dinner has proved to be the icing on the cake (almost literally) when it comes to celebrating our 10th anniversary this year. Here’s a snapshot of the evening....
Held at the DeVere venue of New Place, Wickham, Hampshire on Friday 30th May 2008, the Fundraising dinner attended by DRWF friends and supporters alike, has raised almost £14,000 in furtherance of medical research and educational support.
Among the guests were all five of the DRWF UK trustees and the CEO’s of our sister charities in the US, France, Sweden and Germany.
Upon arrival guests were treated to a welcome drink and encouraged to have their picture taken by photographer John Abbot or to have their caricature drawn by the Diabetes Wellness News Tale End cartoonist, Peter Plant (thank you Peter!!).
Our Guest speakers included Mike Gretschel, Co-founder of DRWF and Chairman of the Trustees, Mr. Paul Johnson, DRWF Research Advisory Board & Director of the DRWF Islet Isolation Facility, Oxford, Mrs. Gwen Hall DRWF Editorial Advisory Board and John Alahouzos, Co-Founder and Secretary to the Trustees. Thank you to all of our speakers.
Jimmy Tarbuck very kindly gave up his own time, in the middle of a hectic tour, to help host the fundraising dinner and entertained our guests with his hilarious after-dinner speech. He also took cash for questions where guests were invited to ‘Trip up Tarby’ to raise further funds for charity.
After dinner we had a special charity raffle where we had some spectacular prizes on offer with kind donations
including an offering from Diabetic Hampers, a stadium tour for four from Southampton Football 
Club, a Golf Session for two courtesy of Furzeley Wood Golf Course and the flowers from the tables kindly donated by Bloomin Flowers.
Throughout the evening guests were encouraged to make bids on a number of other wonderful items that had been donated to us for the night. Up for grabs for the highest bidder were tickets for four to the Goodwood racecourse on a race day; four tickets to a league match at the Rosebowl courtesy of Hampshire Cricket; a weekend at New Place courtesy of DeVere and a pamper package coutesy of Room 8. Also on offer were: a balloon flight from Virgin, a signed Portsmouth Football Club shirt framed by Off the Wall Framing, and a champagne sailing day for six, courtesy of Sandypoint Yacht Charter.
Thanks from DRWF must also go to the major sponsors of the evening, Saturn Corporation UK, Arctic Medical Ltd and Novo Nordisk UK.
Also, to Laurence Matthews and Holbrooks Printers who 
produced all of our menu cards and orders of service free of charge. They are also responsible for printing the newsletter each month, so a huge thanks for that!
Thanks also to: Brand Marketing Works, Bircham Dyson Bell, Roche, The Great British Duck Race and the Alani String Quartet, who serenaded us all evening with beautiful music!
It was wonderful to see DRWF trustees, members, health professionals, scientists and supporters all united in the fight against diabetes under one roof. Thank you to everyone for your support!