The London Football Awards 2024 was an evening full of celebration, fundraising, and legends. With an incredible lineup of well-deserved winners such as Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, and Aggie Beever Jones, this year was truly one to remember.
Willow hosted the event at one of London’s best venues, The Roundhouse, on Thursday 29 February. The evening drew the presence of current players and football legends, as well as Willow partners and supporters. Jill Scott MBE and Ian Stirling kept the atmosphere lively with their fantastic hosting throughout the night, while Martin Bayfield engaged the audience and led the auction with captivating flair.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event and what better way to celebrate than with London’s most dedicated football fans. Balcony tickets were sold to the public, giving them a chance to celebrate with football legends, with the added perk of a free drink from the event’s sponsors Prime Time.
This night would not have been possible without the devotion of Willow staff and volunteers. Months of hard work went into organising the event, and the team’s support on the day setting up the venue, welcoming and assisting guests on the day helped make the event run smoothly for all who attended. We were also joined by a lovely team of volunteers from our partner De Vere who helped with the event set up.
We are excited about what next year will bring. If you want to be first to know about next year’s London Football Awards, please contact emma.porrett@willowfoundation.org.uk
For the full list of 2024 winners, click here.
This International Women’s Day, we are celebrating the legacy of our co-founder and Life President Megs, and the profound impact she has had on our charity, our community and countless young adults and families across the UK. Megs’ legacy is one of empowerment, resilience and compassion, and her impact will continue to inspire and guide us.
As we remember Megs, we reflect on the extraordinary path she paved for individuals everywhere, and the inclusive community she built within Willow. We are committed to upholding her vision and honouring her legacy in all that we do.
Below are a few of the heartfelt messages we received from all those impacted by Megs in one way or another.
“Megs is one of the nicest women we have ever met. From day one, both her and Bob made us feel like family, and at each Willow event since this has continued. We will never forget her love and kindness to us” – Lorraine and Louise
“Megs was simply the most inspirational lady I have ever met. It is an honour and a privilege to have known and worked with her. Helping launch Willow with her and Bob was one of the proudest moments of my life.” – Terry
“My fondest memory of Megs was her spotting me at the end of The London Marathon one year. I had given my all and could hardly move but seeing Megs’ beautiful smiling face, being enveloped in the warmest of hugs and given words of encouragement gave me such a lift.” – Isabelle
If you would like to donate in memory of Megs, or share a memory on her tribute page, please click HERE.
We are also honouring the incredible women who are an integral part of #TeamWillow. Their passion and unwavering commitment have helped shape Willow into the empowering force it is today, and we are grateful for the impact they make each day.
Today and every day, we celebrate the incredible women who support us, inspire us and make the world a better place.
I am a trained nurse, trained in both adult and children’s care, and have been working in young adult palliative care for almost 20 years. I even established the first ever young adult hospice at home and received an MBE for my efforts.
For young people living with a rare condition, every day should be precious. Since starting at Willow I have been the driving force behind ensuring we receive more referrals from young adults with rare diseases.
Willow is one of the few organisations supporting young adults focusing solely on quality of life, providing unique and unforgettable moments and experiences tailored to each individual. Every effort is made to always ensure a stress-free, seamless experience, not only meeting but exceeding expectations.
I have worked with rare disease organisations, professionals and patient support group to ensure they know more about the great services Willow provides. During the past two years I have contacted more than 50 rare disease professionals and groups, and attended numerous conferences and events. Everywhere I go, I get amazing feedback about the services we offer.
I am extremely passionate about young adult palliative care and believe the services Willow provides makes a big difference to this group of young adults.
What a night we had at the Willow Ball 2023 in November. It was a pleasure to welcome over 200 supporters old and new to join us at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London for an amazing evening. It was great to be able to hear at first hand inspirational stories about the impact of a Special Break, including an emotional speech from Mark Abbott about what it meant to his wife Alice. Beneficiary Kevin Massiah also spoke about what a boost it gave him to receive a Special Treat box.
On the night the event raised over £200,000, all of which will help us to create more extraordinary experiences and precious memories for seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds.
Every year at the ball the Willow at Heart award is given to someone who has gone above and beyond in helping Willow bring magic to even more young adults living with a life limiting illness across the UK. This year, in recognition of their amazing work in helping to create so many Special Days and their long standing support across all aspects of the charity, Arsenal FC and The Arsenal Foundation were presented with the award. It was handed over by Honorary Presidents, David and Frankie Seaman.
We would also like to thank the brilliant Matt Lucas who did such a great job hosting the event and keeping everyone smiling. We are also grateful to Martin Bayfield for overseeing an electrifying auction that raised a significant amount of money. The exclusive Lymington lot was a highlight and was generously purchased twice. A huge thanks to Melvin at Wright’s Estate Agents as well as Stanwell House and The Hut.
If you’d like to join us next year for what is sure to be another unforgettable evening, please contact Bekki Wilkins – bekki.wilkins@willowfoundation.org.uk
Honorary Co-Presidents David and Frankie Seaman presented the Willow at Heart award to Arsenal FC and The Arsenal Foundation.
Glittering dancers sparkled and lit up the floor
Host Matt Lucas kept us entertained
Guests enjoyed a winter wonderland themed evening at the Grand Connaught Rooms.
Becoming a trustee for Willow has been a recent privilege of mine, and it’s a role I cherish. I’ve always had a desire to give back and be altruistic, fuelled by the belief that the most uplifting memories stem from life experiences. Joining Willow as a trustee aligns perfectly with this philosophy, offering support to those facing challenging health issues and creating special and memorable experiences.
The decision to embark on the trek through Transylvania, one of Willow’s new fundraising challenges, was a no-brainer for me. Not only did I eagerly throw my hat in the ring, but I also convinced my son to join me on this adventure. Why? The allure of a challenge in the mysterious Transylvania, combined with the prospect of a unique and shared experience for a good cause, captured my enthusiasm entirely.
In October, we set out with 11 strangers, and what unfolded exceeded my expectations. The trip became a profoundly positive life experience, a reference point for my personal ‘happy place.’ Transylvania’s natural beauty left me and my trek-mates in awe, presenting countless jaw-dropping moments. Navigating diverse terrains provided a genuine challenge that I relished, sparking a newfound love for trekking that ensures I’ll be doing it again.
The camaraderie among our diverse group was the secret sauce that made the experience truly special. Our WhatsApp group is a constant reminder of the lasting connections forged during those unforgettable days. And to top it all off, sharing this adventure with my son added an extra layer of joy.
Beyond the personal fulfilment, the trek served as a means to raise funds for Willow. While volunteering my time as a trustee is gratifying, actively contributing to a physical challenge that makes a tangible difference amplifies the sense of reward. Double-whammy. It’s a testament to the power of shared experiences and the impact we can create when we come together for a common purpose. And this is just the beginning— I’ll undoubtedly be putting myself forward for more challenges in the future.
Thank you Willow! – Paul Phedon, Willow trustee
In October we had a fantastic evening at our first ever comedy night held at London’s Comedy Store to a packed house. There was a stellar line up headlined by Dara O Briain and hosted by Lloyd Griffith together with Iain Sterling, Michael Odewale, Harriet Kemsley, Ian Smith and Celya AB. We had a great response to the silent auction which was held across the evening and a well supported raffle. A huge thanks to everyone who came as we raised over £12,000 in total. We are extremely grateful to Tom Rosenthal for his support in organising this event.
Frankie and David Seaman announced as Willow’s new Honorary Presidents
September 8, 2023
We are pleased to announce the appointment of David Seaman and his wife Frankie as our Honorary Presidents, working alongside Founders and Life Presidents Bob and Megs Wilson.
This strategic decision marks a significant milestone in our mission to improve the quality of life of young adults aged 16 to 40 with life-limiting illnesses through the provision of bespoke days out, breaks or treats.
Speaking of the new role, David said: “Bob has been a mentor to me throughout my career, and our friendship has grown stronger over the years. I have always admired his philanthropic endeavours, and through his inspiration I learned that the values I hold on the football field can also be applied to making a positive impact off the pitch.”
“Frankie and I have been proud Ambassadors of Willow for many years, and we have witnessed first-hand the incredible impact this charity has on the lives of young adults facing difficult circumstances. When Bob shared his vision for Willow, we knew this was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”
Bob also spoke fondly about their relationship: “David and Frankie have always been so supportive of Willow and genuinely care about people. When thinking about the Willow of the future, they were the obvious choice: it felt like a natural progression. Their passion and dedication will undoubtedly propel the charity to new heights.”
As Honorary Presidents, David and Frankie are committed to working with Bob and Megs to bring hope, joy, and memorable experiences to the lives of those facing serious illness. Their shared vision, coupled with the wisdom and experience Bob and Megs bring, will further strengthen Willow’s ability to touch the lives of young adults and their families.
We celebrated hitting an exciting milestone in September!
Since our charity was founded in 1999, we have been able to offer bespoke experiences and gifts to 20,000 seriously ill young adults across the UK.
We couldn’t have done this without our amazing supporters. Thank you for every donation or fundraiser, for attending our events, for choosing us as your charity of the year and for helping to spread the word about what we do.
Big thanks also goes out to everyone at #TeamWillow. Our staff and volunteers work hard to help families create lasting memories during tough times. Well done team. Here’s to the next 20,000 💜
We were excited to host our very first Together With Willow Event in June in Essex. It was created as a chance for us to bring together and reconnect with previous beneficiaries for a fun day of music and entertainment in the sun. This day would not have been possible without our incredible entertainers such as Eirra, Ed Gamwells, Lucy Kane, the 60’s Revival Band and our host, DJ Chasm. It was great to be able to meet so many previous beneficiaries on the day.
A huge thanks to everyone who attended the Willow Golf Classic at Brocket Hall Estate in May. The sun shone on a great day of golf as many of our celebrity friends joined us at this prestigious event which raised just over £37,000.
We are grateful to our headline sponsor Weston Homes Plc who together with our other sponsors Concord London Developments, BPC Recruitment and Newmark helped provide more Special Days and Treats for seriously ill young adults aged from 16-40.
Thanks also to Clubs Away for supporting this event and running some great fundraising games and to Aaron James for overseeing a very successful auction.