On Thursday 16th February the BOSS Business Supplies Charity held its inaugural Patrons’ Dinner at Stationers’ Hall in London, with the guest of honour being the national treasure known as Eddie “the Eagle” Edwards.
The dinner was held to celebrate the work of the Charity and to thank its supporters, especially the 12 companies who have committed to becoming Corporate Patrons of the Charity in 2023 – Avery, BIC, Brother UK Ltd, Fellowes Brands, Highlands, OPI, OT Group, Pukka Pad, Ryman, SC Johnson Professional, Uni Mitsubishi Pencil Company and Viking – as well as the charity’s Honorary Patron, the BOSS Federation.
As the Chair of the Charity, Martin Wilde, said: “In these difficult times, with the cost of living rising rapidly, the need for financial support amongst current and former industry colleagues from the BOSS Business Supplies Charity is greater than ever. As a result, we are incredibly grateful to these 12 wonderful businesses who have chosen to commit to supporting the work of the Charity this year.”
Eddie the Eagle inspired and astonished the dinner guests with tales of his sheer tenacity in pursuing his dream to ski jump for Britain in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, including how he survived for long periods of his training by eating leftovers scrounged from waste bins.
What made Eddie’s story so appropriate for the BOSS Charity’s dinner was that he succeeded partly because of the generosity of his peers. Watching him train at expensive facilities using borrowed and third rate equipment, members of teams from other nations encouraged him by donating skis, a jump suit, and even a helmet to replace one that kept falling off when he attempted the 70 metre jump, because it was only tied on with string.
It was no surprise, then, that Eddie won the hearts of his audience – both at Calgary and at Stationers’ Hall – as the living embodiment what can be achieved with a dream, some determination, a lot of courage… and a little help from your peers.
The date of the BOSS Charity’s annual Charity Day has already been announced as Wednesday 14th June – once again at the beautiful Belton Woods course and hotel near Grantham. Booking is now open for golf teams and spa attendees at https://bosscharity.org/boss-charity-day-wednesday-14th-june/
