On Friday the 11th Sept, I had the pleasure of attending AIM’S gala ball at the Crowne Plaza, Liverpool. The event was black tie. I had invited guests and had a full table of 10, and everyone looked wonderful. We were greeted with a glass of champagne and had an opera singer entertain whilst we all rubbed shoulders with other guests. It was great to catch up with other friend’s and business colleagues.
We were shown through to the ball room, wonderfully decorated and lit, the place was packed and you could sense that all were ready for a great night.
It was lovely to hear from Steve and Andy welcoming everyone and explaining to those new to AIM what they did and how they help others.
After a tasty 3 course meal and lots of wine…and beer, the night began with 2 comedians.
For no reason but that the compare and comedian Lee Roberts live there, Huddersfield got a bashing, as did anyone who dared to walk into the room or catch the comedians gaze. One of the comedians Jackie Hagan, herself and amputee, made the whole room scream with laughter at some of her own amputation jokes. Her leg puppet faces are imprinted in my brain, I will never look at Harry Potter in the same way again. I am sure all present felt as I did that her strength to turn what some would feel a life changing tragedy in losing a limb into a positive as she has done. She finished off by raising a glass of wine, (poured into her prosthetic lower leg) and drinking to the future of AIM to all cheering and applauding.
The night was to have fun, catch up with friends and make new ones, but also to raise money to help AIM continue the great work they do. Raffles and auctions raised £6,000 with holiday breaks in the Lakes, glamping breaks, disabled holiday vouchers, Chester zoo memberships, shark dives, Harrods Champagne, IPAD mini, spa treatments, home aquariums, signed Frank Bruno boxing gloves, signed football shirts and footballs, hairdressing and beauty (of course won by the bald man). I myself bid and won a room mural from Murals by Ryall design, I have not yet told my wife but I am looking forward to waking up to Kim Kardiashan on my ceiling every morning.
I am so pleased to have been invited and to continue to support this great bunch of people. I look forward to the next party but not the Saturday hangover.
Thank you AIM for a fantastic evening and please do keep me involved with any future events, it really is a pleasure to help and support you guys with the work that you do.
Article written by Michael Ward; taken from the October 2015 AIM newsletter