Luke was determined to make a good impression when he was guest of honour at the Morgan Foundation’s Gala Dinner at Carden Park Hotel on Friday, 25th May 2012. He donned a brand new evening suit for the occasion and wore a fabulous bow-tie with hanky to match. Our handsome young ambassador certainly didn’t disappoint. Mum, Emma, looked pretty good too!

Under a canopy of twinkling lights, with beautifully laid tables and equally beautifully adorned guests, everyone sat down to an evening of fun, laughter and great entertainment from John Bishop and Beverley Knight, interspersed with moments of unveiled emotion and compassion, and massive generosity in supporting the work of Children Today through contributions and donations made to the Morgan Foundation. The whole event was an unprecedented success in terms in fundraising and, although the final figure raised is yet to be announced, it is expected to be very significant.

On behalf of everyone here at Children Today, we would like to thank each and every person who made the Morgan Foundation’s Golf Day and Gala Dinner such a wonderful success.

Without doubt, this unrivalled support from the Morgan Foundation will make a profound impact, not only here at Children Today but, also for the many, many disabled children and young people, living within the Morgan Foundation’s area of benefit, who will benefit from the provision of the specialised equipment that is so very vital to their on-going development.

In less than one month from the date of the fundraising event, we have been already been able to fund the first tranche of applications, providing specialised equipment at a cost of just under £32,000 to seventeen disabled children and young people. In the coming weeks and months, we hope to be able to share some of their stories with you.

At Children Today, we very much believe in the necessity and the value of early intervention when funding the provision of specialised equipment. Luke is a shining example of how early intervention reaps its own rewards. Luke is confident and positive, and determined to live his life to the full. Luke wanted to make his own contribution to the evening and had insisted on writing a short speech, although mum was called in at the last minute to actually read it to the attentive and very responsive audience. There wasn’t a dry eye left in the room.

Luke is a very proud Leicester City supported and he couldn’t have been more pleased when Steve Morgan presented him with a signed Leicester City football shirt. Although Steve and Luke may have very different footballing allegiances, Luke was nevertheless thrilled when Steve also presented him with a signed Wolverhampton Wanderers’ shirt.

Luke’s excitement didn’t end at the Gala Dinner. The very next morning, he was joined at breakfast by soul singer, Beverley Knight. Luke couldn’t stop smiling – he couldn’t believe his luck – Beverley had made his day.

Thank you Luke for being such a terrific ambassador for Children Today. We’re all so very proud of you and your achievements.

Pictures below, Luke and his mum, Emma, with Steve Morgan of the Morgan Foundation.