On Saturday, the One Thousand Trades Group hosted an extraordinary event at Moseley Rugby Club. With over 350 invited guests filling the venue, the gathering aimed to raise funds for Fisher House—a remarkable charity dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured service personnel at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Through the collective generosity of attendees, we successfully raised over £9,000 to support this vital cause.
The event was graced by an outstanding lineup of dignitaries and special guests, including Deputy Lieutenant Dr Beverly Lindsay, OBE, recipient of the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican Government; Deputy Lieutenant Ninder Johal; Mihaela Savu, Consulate General of Romania; Mr Darlington Chisango, Zimbabwean senior diplomat; the Lord Mayor, Councillor Ken Wood, and Lady Mayoress Barbara Wood (fondly referred to as Ken & Barbie); Councillor Ian Ward, celebrated for delivering the Commonwealth Games and securing major events like the European Athletics Championships and Invictus Games in the region; Former MP and Minister for Energy Amanda Solloway; Former MP Gary Sambrook; and PC Rani Gundhu QPM.
Special thanks go to our exceptional host, Tim Stimpson—an accomplished rugby legend who played for Leicester, England, and the British Lions—and Chief of Staff, Amy Deakin, for their outstanding leadership throughout the day. We would also like to express our gratitude to Stuart Cain for donating the signed England cricket bat, Rob Margerison for his contribution of the England Rugby shirt signed by Ollie Chessum, and Derek Vinning, MD (fondly known as Vinnie), for generously providing the signed Birmingham City football shirt. Additionally, thanks to Ray Halfpenny for his thoughtful donation of hospitality in the Garrison Suite for the last game of the season. A special mention goes to Arron Wincott from Hotel du Vin for the outstanding auction prize that raised the most money on the day. Each auction and raffle prize played a pivotal role in helping us achieve such an impressive total.
The Moseley rugby team added to the excitement with a sensational performance, defeating Darlington Mowden Park 69–14—a memorable triumph for the club and a highlight of the day!
This event was one of many efforts to raise awareness and support for the Invictus Games, which Birmingham will host in 2027—a testament to the city’s dedication to fostering community and supporting global initiatives.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the volunteers from Fisher House, the amazing staff at Moseley Rugby Club, our sponsors, and every individual who attended. Your energy and support made this event truly unforgettable. Together, we made a meaningful difference, and we look forward to keeping the spirit of generosity alive. If you attended and have any memorable moments to share, we’d love to hear them!