100 FREDDIE FARMER FOUNDATION supporters including the former Mayor of Royal Greenwich Jim Gillman and Mayoress Janet Gillman and Captain Robbie Wilmont MBE gathered for a fund-raising black tie gala dinner at The Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich last Saturday (September 29).

The dinner, the Foundation’s second, was a sell-out, organised to raise funds for the Freddie Farmer Foundation, which is raising funds to set up a specialist physiotherapist centre in Royal Greenwich for children with cerebral palsy and serious mobility problems.

On arrival, guests were treated to complimentary drinks in the Officers Mess Bar, and welcomed into the Mess Dining Room with the playing of 'The Roast Beef of Olde England ' by 14-piece Militaire Orchestra, who performed a selection of ‘Last Night of the Proms’ favourites, culminating in a communal sing-along with the Orchestra playing ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Land of Hope & Glory’.

The evening ended with an auction that raised over £4,000 with prizes including a one-week stay in Whitstable for 4, 2 VIP X Factor tickets and a chef’s knife set.

A lucky-dip to win a David Shepherd limited-edition framed print raised a further £975.  The lucky winner was Dickie Russ, a great charity supporter and member of Park House Rugby Club, who donated the print back to the Foundation.

The Officers Mess bar stayed open until late for guests to purchase drinks until carriages at midnight.

“It was a tremendous success,” said Freddie’s mum, Deanne Farmer. “We’re waiting on the final figure but it looks as though we’ve raised around £7,000 in total, which is fantastic.”

The Freddie Farmer Foundation, a registered charity, was formed last year to set up a specialised physiotherapy centre in South East London for children and young people with cerebral palsy and serious mobility problems. Eight-year-old Freddie Farmer, who was born at 28 weeks with cerebral palsy, weighing just 2lb 12oz, is the inspiration behind it.

TO FIND OUT MORE visit www.freddiefarmerfoundation.org.uk