Wolves Foundation held their second Gala Dinner at Molineux with a group of inspirational award-winners honoured thanks to their exceptional achievements and participation with the club’s official charity.
Two Foundation ambassadors and successful media personalities, Suzi Perry and Amber Sandhu, hosted the event and invited the winners onto the stage to share their feelings and their individual stories.
There was first team representation from Wolves with Head Coach Gary O’Neil, Nelson Semedo, Rodrigo Gomes and club captain Mario Lemina representing the men’s team while Head Coach Dan McNamara, captain Anna Morphet, Tammi George, Katie Johnson and club legend Anna Price showcased Wolves Women.
Executive chairman Jeff Shi was also in attendance with members of Wolves’ Senior Management team, club Vice-Presidents Steve Bull and John Richards, soul singing sensation Beverley Knight and other Foundation ambassadors including Karl Henry, Anna Price, Mark Rhodes, Johnny Phillips and Mitch Lane
“It’s been a really good night, with good people, talking all about the Foundation and the work they have done so far,” said Mario.
“With all the awards being given out, I find it really good for the community to share these kind of moments - I really enjoyed it.
“It’s really good because at the end of the day we are all human beings and we want to share these moments.
“At a football club it’s not just about the pitch, it’s outside of that and everything and everyone being together.”
Proud Wulfrunian Beverley also thoroughly enjoyed attending the Gala Dinner, and presented one of the eight awards.
“The fact that this is a Foundation that comes from a club such as this, that love doesn’t stay contained in this building (Molineux) and permeates around the community is fantastic,” she said.
“The range of work that is being done, as a ‘Wolverhampton-er’ born and raised, to see Wolves doing this is so moving and encouraging.
“I just want to thank everybody for being brilliant and raising money to keep these schemes going.”
There was barely a dry eye in the house for the final award of the evening, the Spirit of Wolves award, presented by Gary to Darren James.
Darren, who wears an artificial limb after being born with an abnormality to his right leg, first got involved with Wolves Disability FC when he saw the half time fixture against Cardiff back in 2019.
He has since become a player, captain and is now a volunteer, not to mention a role model for everyone else within the club.
Darren was reduced to tears after receiving the hugely deserved accolade, which came as a complete surprise.
“I had no idea, you could see on stage I was emotional, it is something I am very proud of,” he said.
“It’s something to show my kids, my family and to pay back that support that people have shown me.”
The full list of awards and winners are below:
- Ian Millard Award – For Outstanding Educational Achievement (in memory of former trustee and City of Wolverhampton College principal) – Tiarna Grizzle
- Young Achiever Award – Zesayous Graham
- Special Recognition Award – Kurran Kullar
- Community Champion Award – Alison Littleford
- Leadership Award – Ian Leaver
- Outstanding Achievement Award – Wolves Head 4 Health runners – Marcus Forbes, Carl Turner-Bennett, Simon Reese, Graham Flukes
- Creating Opportunity and Changing Lives Award – Joe Jackson
- Spirit of Wolves Award – Darren James
Written by Thomas Gibson
