Dinner with a difference in aid of HemiHelp

HemiHelp member, Ian Davis tells us about his dinner party in aid of HemiHelp... but this isn't just any dinner party - welcome to 'extreme dining'. 

Each year I organise fundraising events with a difference for a group of Surrey Police Officers and friends. We have had cheese and wine parties, Hawaiian BBQ’s and even played cricket. The difference is that we always hold these events at the top of mountains!

This year, having been to the Lake District again and again, I decided that we should explore the Glorious Brecon Beacons national park in South Wales. As it was my turn to choose the worthy cause, I chose HemiHelp because my stepson Aaron (9yrs) has left-sided congenital hemiplegia and we have been assisted by the charity for a number of years.

We set off at silly o’clock Friday morning, mid June and spent the day exploring the many waterfalls around Ystadfellte (no, I can’t pronounce it either!). This area is well worth a visit - it is a photographer’s paradise with many stunning waterfalls, one of which you walk behind.

Saturday morning we set off for the main event. Formal dinner atop Pen Y Fan! We started the walk carrying tables, chairs, dinner jackets, evening dresses, roast lamb and the trimmings, oh and a spot of vin rouge! The climb to PenY Fan is a slog and not for the ill prepared – it is where the SAS train. However we had made more than adequate provisions and after several hours we donned our finery and Richard commenced the cooking to the haunting sounds of Harry and Nick on their bagpipes. I did my bit and uncorked the wine!

Needless to say we had a lovely meal and spent longer than anticipated talking to the many walkers at the top about hemiplegia. I called home from the summit to trumpet my success, however Aaron was engaged with Lego Batman and was unable to speak! In total we raised £433.00 for HemiHelp. Many thanks to all those who took part in the event and special thanks to those who sponsored us all… again.