Can a world champion hurdler beat the Beast from the East?

One of Britain’s greatest athletes will be inspiring Hull businesspeople to dig deep to keep children warm this winter.

The phenomenal Colin Jackson, who specialised in the 110 metre hurdles and is now a TV celebrity, is the star speaker at the annual Sailors’ Children’s Society’s Sportsman’s Lunch on October 11, which will raise money to provide winter clothing and welfare grants for the children of seafaring families around the UK.

Supported by long-term sponsor Williamsons Solicitors, the lunch raised £50,000 in 2018 and is established as a major event on the Hull business calendar with 700 people expected to attend this year.

Deanne Thomas, CEO of the charity which started in Hull in 1821, said: “It’s fantastic that we have Colin Jackson with us. He is advocate of young people and children in his own charitable work and will be a charismatic and inspirational guest.”

Bill Waddington, director at Williamsons Solicitors, said that with a forecast for severe winter weather, the grants for clothing would be gratefully received.

“Keeping warm is a basic need that the majority of us take for granted, but the beneficiaries of this charity have found themselves struggling following incidents such as bereavement, illnesses or relationship breakdown. A return of the ‘Beast from the East’ has been predicted, so the money raised could be appreciated more than ever.”

Much of the cash raised at the lunch is generated by the auction, which this year includes Lord Halifax’s private box for a day at York Racecourse, a Hull City executive box with a four-course meal for 10, and a stay in a gite in the Loire Valley. Cash is also raised through ticket sales and a raffle.

With the Hull-based society committed to helping more than 500 disadvantaged children of seafarers around the country, the lunch is one of its key fundraising events and has welcomed many famous sports personalities over the years.

Other sponsors of the 2019 lunch are Henderson Insurance Brokers (HIBL) and Streets Chartered Accountants.