The Butterwick Hospice hosted their very first Sportsman’s Dinner event at Hardwick Hall Hotel recently.
Organised in conjunction with Sporteous Speakers and Events UK, the night had a star-studded line-up of former WBC heavyweight champion Frank Bruno and one of football’s original hard men, Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock.
Comedian and compere Jed Stone entertained the crowd with jokes and games before Bruno took to the stage following a standing ovation. Frank recalled stories ranging from his upbringing to his trio of title fights with ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson.
Bruno was a tough act to follow, but from the moment Razor Ruddock took to the stage he had the crowd in hysterics. Ruddock entertained the audience with personal stories from the changing rooms of Liverpool and West Ham, with the likes of Ian Wright.
With a raffle and auction during the night, total fundraising reached an amazing £20,000, which will be split between Butterwick House and Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland.
A spokesperson for Butterwick Hospice said, “We would like to thank Frank, Razor, and Jed, Sporteous UK, Hardwick Hall and everybody who attended and gave so generously on the night.”
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
