Foundation gives a helping hand

The black tie dinner and entertainment event was organised by the Travers Foundation – a Northamptonshire-based charity which helps young people aged between 13 and 30 living in Northamptonshire improve their skills in sports and performing and creative arts.

A number of talented young people the charity has helped in recent years performed at the event, including Vicki-Louise Sherwin and Charlie Botting, who have organised a series of fundraising events, and Kara Hamer and Meg Lyons.

Two filmmakers showed their productions - Kayleigh O’Connor with her short film EQ: A Film About Emotional Intelligence, and Rockingham’s Alan Pell with his Ladies Of The Red Club.

Athlete Lucy Hatton - European silver medallist in hurdling and Rio 2016 Olympic-hopeful - could not attend the event as she had a call-up to the British Athletic team in Prague, and young tennis star Joe Tyler, from Corby, was at the Davis Cup tournament in Birmingham.

Travers Foundation trustee and Olympic athlete William Sharman also had to send his apologies for family reasons, but wished everyone well.

Terry Forsey, from the foundation, said: “This annual event, now in its second year, sold out within two days of tickets going on sale. It was hosted by opera impresario Martin McEvoy, who is a trustee of the charity.

“Neil Bray, the branch manager of Corby’s Santander branch, and his team got involved by organising a silent raffle. Neil’s father is Russ ‘Voice of Darts’ Bray, who donated a signed dartboard and photographs, sold as part of the silent auction, and also auctioned were two rugby balls signed by the Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers teams.”

Mr Forsey added: “The second annual Travers Foundation Showcase was a huge success. We raised over £4,250 in total, and every penny will be spent in supporting talented youngsters improve their skills in sports, the creative and performing arts.

“The charity is entirely staffed by volunteers.”

Visit www.travers-foundation.org.uk for more.