26 Jan 2024
Scotland’s corporate community was out in force at Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland’s annual “A Question of Burns” supper, now in its 32nd year, raising £45,000 for the specialist charity.
420 guests gathered at the Glasgow Hilton Hotel last night (25 January) to celebrate the life and work of the famous Scottish Bard with an evening of poetry, performances, and a traditional Burns feast.
Star-studded guests included Caroline McGirr and Karli MacCallum from ITV’s My Mum, Your Dad, radio presenters Robyn Richford and Amy Irons, and Reece Donnelly, founder of Theatre College of Scotland who flew the flag for Scotland on BBC One’s The Apprentice.
Former Scottish international rugby player and sports presenter Andy Nicol hosted the evening which saw guests enjoy renditions of Burns’ famous poems, a three-course meal, auction, and a quiz on all things Rabbie Burns.
Other notable faces in attendance included Kevin Brown who delivered his world-renowned recitation of ‘Address to a Haggis’, Scottish actor (star of Still Game) comedian and writer Sanjeev Kohli, gave the Toast to the Lassies whilst Joyce Falconer (River City) gave the Reply on Behalf of the Lassies.
Scotland’s foremost Robert Burns re-enactor, Chris Tait, performed an immersive ‘Tam o’ Shanter’ and SBH Scotland ambassador, Nicola Cassells, alongside Scottish classical crossover tenor, Colin Bryce, performed an array of Scottish classics throughout the evening.
The most powerful part of the evening came when SBH Scotland parent, Sean Carr, gave an emotive speech on the impact the charity has made to his family’s life since his son was diagnosed 8 years ago.
He also thanked those attending saying: “Events like this are vital. Your donations allowed my wife and I to escape a cold dark office where we were given a devastating diagnosis to a lifetime of support, friendship, extended family, and hope. Thank you.”
For over three decades, SBH Scotland’s annual evening in honour of the Ayrshire-born poet has been one of Glasgow’s most successful corporate Burns suppers. Since its launch in 1981, the event has raised over £1 million which has been used to provide personalised support to thousands of children, young people and adults across Scotland affected by the lifelong, complex conditions of spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.
As well as being headline sponsor, to further support the charity and help it raise as much as possible, Scotland’s luxury jeweller Chisholm Hunter donated luxury watches for the winning quiz team as well as a stunning diamond necklace for the diamond draw. As Scotland’s only charity providing support to those with these conditions, and with little financial assistance from statutory sources, SBH Scotland relies heavily on fundraising activities to deliver its vital services.
Dr Margo Whiteford CBE, Chairperson of SBH Scotland, said: “Our annual ‘A Question of Burns’ supper is a highly anticipated event in our calendar each year and we work hard to ensure it’s a joyous celebration of our Scottish bard.
“Once again, we were overwhelmed by the generosity of our sponsors and guests and it’s wonderful to watch everyone having a great time while raising vital funds. Without which, we wouldn’t be able to provide specialist services including financial support, health check clinics, counselling, and support groups to over 4,000 children, young people and their families.
“I would like to thank everyone who attended from our guests to our speakers, performers, and volunteers. Additionally, I’d like to thank our headline sponsor, Chisholm Hunter, whose continued support of this event has been so crucial in building our Burns celebration to be one of the largest corporate events in Scotland.”
To support SBH Scotland or to find out more about other events happening throughout the year, call 03455 211 600, email fundraising@sbhscotland.org.uk or visit www.sbhscotland.org.uk for more details.
