Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the 24th Aspire Sports Quiz Dinner, which took place in the Nursery Pavilion at Lord's Cricket Ground on 1st May.  360 guests enjoyed a great evening of superb hospitality, friendly rivalry and the legendary quiz compiled by Radio 5 Live's Rob Nothman and expertly hosted by Aspire President, John Inverdale.

Our Guest Speaker was the inspiring Dani Czernuszka Watts, who spoke about her life before and after an horrific tackle during a rugby match in 2017 that left her paralysed by a spinal cord injury.  During her rehabilitation at the National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville, she became aware of Aspire through Jamie, an Independent Living Advisor, who chatted to her about anything and everything regarding living with a spinal cord injury and eventually it was him who encouraged her to get back into sport.  After taking part in the Inter Spinal Unit Games, and trying a lot of wheelchair sports, Dani discovered Para Ice Hockey - which she described as like rugby on ice!  She is a member of the GB Para Ice Hockey Women’s & Men's team and has competed in many championships including the Women's World Challenge Ice Hockey.  She was the first Women to score in the IPC World Championships in Bangkok 2022 in what was known then as the men's championship (now mixed) as GB had only 4 women in their squad!   Alongside this she has also taken part in the London Marathon in 2020 and 2021.  Dani had the room in awe as she spoke and we are so grateful to her for joining us and sharing her story.

The evening, which included the Red & Yellow card game, raffle auction and silent auction raised just over £140,000 which will help Aspire support more people with Spinal Cord Injury move from injury to independence. 

Congratulations to the winners of the quiz, FRP Advisory, fifteen year attendees who improved on their second place last year.  

Next year we will be celebrating our 25th Sports Quiz Dinner, on 30th April 2026, and we want to make it an evening to remember!  Register your interest now by emailing [email protected]. 

Aspire would like to thank:

• John Inverdale, Rob Nothman, Dani Czernuszka and all of our wonderful volunteers.
  
  
• Premium table sponsors: AlixPartners, Alvarez & Marsal, Ankura Consulting (Europe) Ltd, BZ, Clifford Chance LLP, CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP, DC Advisory, Eversheds Sutherland LLP, FRP Advisory, FTI Consulting, Hilco Valuation Services, Interpath and Wells Fargo
  
  
• Auction donors: Tapnell Farm; McKay Williamson; BrewDog
  
  
• Raffle prize donors: BrewDog; Corrigan Collection; Curry's (Speke); Gusbourne; Down Hall; Flight Club; Wicked Direct; Boom Battle Bar; Hard Rock Café; Oche; Off Peak Luxury; Roebuck Estates; The Coal Shed