The latest from our CEO

Hi all,

The festive season is almost upon us, and it’s that time of the year when we celebrate everything we’ve achieved during the calendar year through our inclusive programmes and have fun while doing so at our festive fundraisers taking place across the country.

This is always a very busy and fantastic time of year, myself and the team really enjoy getting to as many events as we can to catch up with so many members and other friends of the Tavs, whilst also discussing the exciting things happening around the charity. I’d also like to take this opportunity to recognise just how much time and commitment so many great people put in to make all of these events the huge success that they are. As ever a huge thank you to everyone who plays a role! The charity is incredibly fortunate to have your support and everyone’s commitment at this time of the year is crucial in ensuring we have an even greater impact through our work in 2025 and beyond. I hope you all have a great time during the next two to three weeks, and for those who aren’t currently set to attend a Tavs Christmas event, but would like to, do check in with your local regional committee to see if tickets are still available or check the event listings on our website. 

We recently hosted two major events to bring our busy autumn period to a close. Firstly, a fun packed three-day golf trip to Spain at the end of October successfully took place thanks to the very generous support of big friend of the Taverners Tony Wall and his company P&M Group who sponsored the event, as did many others. Tony and his guests joined us and our celebrities, including our host Sky Sports presenter Pete Graves, and three former England men’s cricketers, tour Captain Graeme Swann, and two Tavs legends, Mike Gatting and Andy Caddick. Myself, our Chair Tim Luckhurst and several staff thoroughly enjoyed spending three days with over 60 people made up of Taverners, their friends and families as well as many people new to us on the trip which raised significant funds as well as providing a valuable socialising and networking opportunity for the charity and those who come along.

A huge thank you also to our great friend, Taverner Gus Mackay, for volunteering his time, working tirelessly with Mike Hartwell, Becky Howie, Merv Ramsay and the team to make this all possible. A lot of hard work and a year in the planning really paid off. Another big thanks to everyone who joined us for the weekend, it was great fun with many friendships made and lots of fun had. For those who would like to be part of this event in the future, details of a return trip for our anniversary year will be available very soon.

The second event I’d like to give a very special mention to is the last ever Johnners Trust Dinner held at the start of November. The Johnners Trust will be winding down in 2025, after 30 hugely successful years. This year’s event was a truly remarkable and really fitting send off with Test Match Special legends, Jonathan ‘Aggers’ Agnew and Alison Mitchell speaking and presenting. They both helped us all celebrate three decades of the Trust which has achieved a huge amount in the much loved and missed broadcasting giant’s name. Aggers had some particularly amusing stories to tell of Johnners time in the commentary box, which highlighted just how loved he was in cricket, including that infamous ‘leg over’ story which was played again on the night much to the amusement of a packed Lord’s Long Room. The Johnners Trust, set up in Brian’s name has enabled him and his family to leave a brilliant and long lasting legacy, with a number of current and past England internationals benefitting from their work, so it was also fitting that Brian’s son and Chair of the Trust, Barry had the last word thanking everyone for their commitments to the Johnners Trust and saying goodbye and good night from the Johnston family. Congratulations and thank you to the whole family for everything you’ve achieved through the Trust, here at the Taverners we plan to establish a way to continue recognising and remembering Brian’s legacy through our work with young people living with a disability.

As we enter the Christmas period I’d like to bring your attention to our 2024 Christmas appeal. Throughout December we’re raising awareness of the importance of making the game accessible to young women and girls through our programmes and, during Big Give week (3-10 December) you can have your donations to our work doubled to help us reach more women and girls through our inclusive programmes than ever before. To find out more, click here. I encourage you all to read, and watch stories about just some of those who have benefited through our community cricket offer already, the female role models we’re now enabling to thrive, and how much work we still have to do to make sure cricket is truly a game for all that has life changing impacts and outcomes for those who participate.

Returning once again to the upcoming festive period activities, I would also like to make two very special thank yous to two very special individuals who have done so much for the charity in their respective regional roles over a very long period of time.

Firstly, the legendary sports broadcaster Gary Newbon is stepping down as West Midlands regional President after 19 hugely successful years. As host of the hugely successful Gary Newbon and Friends Xmas lunches, Gary has ensured we have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds at events where he has interviewed some of the biggest names in sport and entertainment, including Kevin Keegan and the late Trevor Francis to name just two. Gary had a brilliant send off today at the last West Midlands Xmas lunch event he will preside over as host and President. So as a token of our thanks, we have made Gary an honorary lifetime member of the Taverners and look forward to welcoming him back to many more events as a guest and much-loved friend of the charity. Thanks, Gary, for all you have done for young people from us all!

Also declaring his innings not out this month is someone who has become a good personal friend of mine during my time here at the Tavs, Mike Keith, Chair of the Hertfordshire region for over ten years. Mike’s last Christmas Lunch is on 13 December where those attending will have the opportunity to thank Mike for all his passionate commitment during his time in the role. I am delighted Mike is remaining on the committee himself and look forward to many more rounds of golf with him at future Tavs events where many always enjoy his great company and passion for our work. Mike, thank you and congratulations on all that you have successfully achieved for so many young people.

The success of the charity really does rely on people like Gary and Mike who volunteer their time to support our work. It is difficult to express just how grateful we all are for all the hard work you’ve both put in to champion the Taverners cause.

So! to wrap up, this is my last message of 2024, and I’d like to finish by wishing everyone who is celebrating over the holidays a very Merry Christmas as well as a very happy and prosperous New Year. An exciting 75th anniversary year awaits in 2025, we have some incredible things lined up across the country, starting with a major announcement when the celebrations formally launch in late February – so watch this space for more news after the holidays.

Very best wishes to you all,
Mark and the staff team