Piggy March and Nicola Wilson at the British Eventing Support Trust Winter Ball Photo: Julian Portch
“Without the help of this charity I really do not know what we would have done” said Nicola Wilson as £194,000 is raised at the BEST Winter Ball.
320 guests from the eventing community attended the inaugural British Eventing Support Trust (BEST) charity Winter Ball at The Savoy in London on Saturday 10th December.
The evening raised £194,000 for the charity, which launched in Autumn 2021 with a mission to support the physical and mental health of British Eventing members in addition to supporting research involving safety within the sport
Some of the key lots drew keen bidding, including the Theo Fennell ring, Freddy Paske Art, a chalet in Meribel, Private Gulfstream Jet trip and a Private box during Royal Ascot week.
A £20 note signed by Olympic Games gold medal winners brought in a final bid of £1,200 whilst a novelty game of Heads and Tails raised over £3,000 on the night.
“We have to accept that eventing is a high-risk sport and a charity like BEST will look after our athletes in different ways. It might be with physical injuries or recovery or mental health, so it’s only a good thing and I think everyone should really get behind it” said Dickie Waygood, World Class Performance Manager for Eventing
No-one knows this better than Nicola Wilson, who took to the stage to pay emotionally charged tribute to BEST for the part it has played in her rehabilitation, following her serious fall at Badminton Horse Trials earlier this year.
“Without the help of this charity I really do not know what we would have done” said Nicola “When I had the fall I was instantly paralysed from my neck own which stopped me breathing. I was aware when I was lying on the floor that there was somebody next to me, but obviously I ran out of oxygen quite quickly and that was it, lights out for me.
“It’s really fantastic to be able to stand here this evening and to walk. I’m getting emotional because I know how lucky I am to actually be walking when a lot of people in hospital weren’t and didn’t show signs of walking. Yes, life is difficult for Alastair [Nicola’s husband] and me, and I’m living it in a body which is very weird, but I’m living, and I’m fighting and I’m going to get somewhere, and I’m thrilled to be able to walk.
I feel incredibly lucky, there are many people worse off than me and this charity going forward, with other athletes in mind who are struggling with mental illness or physical injuries is amazing. Thank you for all your hard work.”
“Where and how do I start thanking the generosity of those that bid on the silent auction and the 320 guests who attended on the evening giving with such generosity that I am too overwhelmed to find the words to express my gratitude” said BEST Trustee Lexi Hambro who organised the ball, with support from a committee
“I had said if we raise £10,000 it’s going to go a long way. But when everyone started bidding and the auction lots kept going up and up it was incredible. When I did the figures the next day, I had to get my husband to double check them in case I had got something wrong as I couldn’t believe the amount raised. I was totally gobsmacked!”
For further information on the British Eventing Support Trust visit www.besupporttrust.org.uk
