Take a Kidney Gala, a Merton Homelessness charity and a chance to join a scrumptious dinner at the Fire Stables in aid of the Mayor of Merton’s charities, plus a Commonwealth Day Big Lunch and you get this week’s #LadyWimbledon Spotlight. 

Celeb FC is exactly what it says on the tin: a network of celebrities who play football and attend events in aid of different charities.

With the Founder Karin Flower being on the fundraising committee of the South West Thames Kidney Fund, it was inevitable that Celeb FC would support their 20 year anniversary Gala Dinner. I felt honoured to be invited to their table.

Having visited Jimmy Choo’s niece that same day, who has opened her own stunning shoe boutique in Mayfair, Lucy Choi, I adorned her black and gold ankle boots and an old Self Portrait jumpsuit from Matches Fashion.

Stepping straight into a puddle, up the stairs, across the dance floor and a quick hello to Her Worship: The Mayor of Sutton, I headed towards my table just as they were serving the first course. I was delighted to be reunited with last year’s Big Brother winner Jason Burrill, Channel 5 presenter Rob Lamarr, X-Factor star Derry Mensah and footballer and old friend from Bishop Gilpin teaching days Matty Males. That delight lasted until Jason decided to choose me to be the coin tosser for the night!

Local jewellers, Clarkes of Sutton, had donated a fantastic piece of rose gold jewellery as a prize for the last one standing. After what felt like half an hour of tossing badly, one of the nurses, Ann Hurley, with her hands on her head was delighted to have won the prize.

Closer to home was a charity that really captured my heart during our mini-freeze. SPEAR London were doing all they could do to provide long term support for Merton’s homeless. On Saturday, Centre Court Shopping Centre gave a home to SPEAR's first musical busking event in Wimbledon. 

Not only were people beyond generous with their monetary donations with a grand total of £555 raised, they wanted to find out how SPEAR supports people from homelessness to independence in their borough.

With the Wimbledon Common half marathon coming up on 3rd June, it is an ideal time to get involved as SPEAR are offering their supporters discounted places. Email:  supporters@spearlondon.org

This weekend brings us the Commonwealth Day Big Lunch celebration event on Sunday 15th April 2018. Hosted by Mayor of Merton, Councillor Marsie Skeete, it will include the Minister of State for the Commonwealth and United Nations, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon and Leader of Merton Council, Stephen Alambritis.

The event is a fundraiser for the Mayor’s charities and is being held in keeping with the Commonwealth Big Lunch initiative. The expectation is that the community will come together to connect and share using a variety of food, music and stories, to celebrate our diversity and support our connections. With attendees asked to wear their national costumes and bring a flag, it is sure to be a colourful day. Email: mayor@merton.gov.uk for tickets.

After having had a few weeks off with my children over the Easter holidays, I have to admit I am very much looking forward to enjoying a meal with friends at The Fire Stables in Wimbledon village. They will be showcasing a new nostalgic menu with a ‘pay what you want’ event in aid of supporting local charities Merton Mencap and Commonside Community Development Trust on Tuesday 17th April. There are 8 places left for you to join us if you so wish.

With so much feasting, I hope the next few weeks leave room for some dancing to Wimbledon’s own Malory, who has made it to the finals of the Pirate Prodigy programme. Let’s all vote and get our Wimbledon girl the break she is destined for.

To vote visit: https://www.piratestudios.co.uk/contestants/malory/