PENGUINS AGAINST CANCER
PAC St David's Day Lunch
Market Porter
Saturday 1st March 2025
‘Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd’ or ‘Do the little things in life’ are considered to be St David’s most famous words – encouraging the people of Wales to do the small, considerate things that often make a big difference. I have always been struck by this sentiment and believe it has much in common with the values, mission and activities that underpin Penguins Against Cancer. Our members, the fundraising events, our research awards and the grants we make (to hospice care, treatment and research) are the ‘little’ things that continue to make a big difference in our fight against cancer.
Penguins Against Cancer may be a relatively small charity, but its big beating heart was evident in the Market Porter on Saturday afternoon. Thirty guests: old Penguins, Alumni, PAC Trustees new faces and Students gathered at midday to enjoy an afternoon of social discourse and mingling with old and new friends, whilst sampling a selection of fine wines and other sumptuous beverages. The dining room had been transformed into a small corner of Wales with flags, bunting, daffodils, dragons and Max Boyce memorabilia, thanks to the Gush Family Events Team. The atmosphere was already buzzing leading up to lunch and there was excitement building over at the raffle prize table and eager chatter amongst the Auction hunters, over the goodies on display.
As lunch approached Charlie Beardmore (President) welcomed everyone, offered thanks to the organisers and the Market Porter and reflected briefly on another busy and successful year for the charity. PAC has so far raised and disbursed over £550,000 in grants to support Cancer Awareness, Cancer Research, Cancer treatment and Hospices. We have now established 6 PAC Research awards, all of which were detailed in the lunch programme and are on our website. These are largely funded by membership subscriptions so please become a PAC Member, today!
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Dessert was of course Welsh Cakes and Penguin biscuits, what else? So, as the Sauternes and the gin were passed around it was time for a Welsh joke from the MC followed by the main Auction. Plenty of competition for the Max Boyce Records, the Pastel Sketch Penguin and the Framed Print of the 1922 (GHRFC) UH Cup Finalists. It was delightful to see people bidding against themselves and the enthusiasm for the variety of Lots on offer was truly infectious. It was great fun and spirited engagement from the gathering made it all the more so. Alex Bailey successfully and generously bid for the signed Welsh Jersey and the Venison Joint went for an arm and a leg! Special thanks to Jem and Kate Boothroyd; Jem paid handsomely for the last remaining beer pump handle from Guy’s Bar (c1991), made a separate cash donation on the night to PAC, Kate made scented candles for the raffle and they donated again on the website that evening. Closing the auction Pat Gush (Vice President) recited a Max Boyce Poem before selling an autographed book of Max’s songs and poems: it might have sold for more with Max’s autograph instead of Gushie’s.
The spring sunshine pouring through the windows echoed the atmosphere of warmth and joy flowing from everyone in the room. There was a genuine sense of reconnection and happiness. The food was excellent, and the wine and conversation were flowing easily. Once again, thanks to Oriele Dunbar (nee Frank), Elemis supported PAC with a goodie bag filled with Elemis Beauty Products. A unique draw, won by Kit Rowland, raised £400 for this donation. Kit brought his Dad to his first PAC event: Marc is a Guy’s Alumnus and GHRFC player from c’69-‘70 era with the original ‘Artists XV’. With the crowd eager to spend and thirsty for more we auctioned the magnum of ’97 Clos du Marquis (from Mick Martin) which was bought, and shared with equal generosity, by Neil Slater. Next, Mike Seare’s bottle of Margaux went under the hammer and after some furious bidding, Mike bought it, opened it and drank it. This has become quite a tradition at PAC auctions! During the main Course, Andy Skyrme’s Bollinger and Red Wine were also auctioned so that the contents could be enjoyed rather than carried home.
Raffle Prizes
Welsh shot glasses x 2; Scented Candles; WRU bucket hat & key ring; WRU water bottle & pen; Welsh Gin; Captain Morgan Spiced Rum; Bottle of Italian Red; Welsh Dragon Apron; Welsh Dragon Socks; GHRFC embroidered blazer pocket x 1; Max Boyce Albums x 2; Welsh Male Voice Choir Album; Welsh Wooden Spoons x 3; Welsh Beret; Welsh Beanie
Auction Items
• Elemis Goodie-Bag [Oriele Dunbar]
• Magnum of 1997 Clos du Marquis, the second wine of Chateau Léoville les Cases [Mick Martin]
• 2021 Six Nations Champions - signed Framed Autumn Series Squad (limited edition) [Pat Gush]
• Haunch of Venison plus a Bottle of Chateau Marquis de Terme, Margaux 2010 [Mike Seare]
• Selection of 3 classic wines [Andy Skyrme]
• Pump handle from Guys bar c1991 [Charlie Beardmore]
• Original pastel sketch of a Blue Penguin [G Hill]
• 1922 (GHRFC) UH Cup Finalists sketch [Charlie Beardmore]
• GHRFC blazer buttons x 2 [Charlie Beardmore]
• Autographed Max Boyce Songs & Poems Book [Andy Skyrme]
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Finally, the magic raffle. But not before singing Happy Birthday to Imogen Gush. We called her up to draw the tickets, which was the signal for close harmony singing of ‘Penblwydd Hapus Imogen’, raising the roof and full glasses in a rousing toast. Soon afterwards Father and Daughter were enjoying a sip of gin together while both Charlies helped with the raffle.
It was a fabulous afternoon that carried on in the bar downstairs. There was plenty to catch up on with some faces not seen for years: another joyous reunion thanks to PAC. As a charity, that grew from friends associated with Guy’s Hospital, celebrating St David’s Day, it feels appropriately connected that the NHS used St David’s words as inspiration and support during Covid-19 Lockdown – do the little things: to look after each other, to keep safe and to protect the NHS. Events like this lunch, is one of the ‘little things’ and together we make a big difference.
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The Market Porter Team were fantastic hosts, and the Welsh-Themed event was tremendous fun. Thank you all so much for coming, for joining in the celebration and for the immense support for Penguins Against Cancer. The Auction & Raffle combined, plus donations during the day raised £ 2900. Please become a member, if not already, so that you can nominate where the grants go and you can help secure our Annual Research Awards.
Please contact me if you have an item or experience you would like to donate for future auctions.
Pat Gush [Vice President]
Attendees: Pat Gush, Charlie Gush, Charlie Beardmore, Dave Gush, Sam Gush, Imogen Gush, Jamie Dunbar, Jok Dunbar, Oriele Dunbar, Neil Davies, Mick Martin, Neil Slater, Pete Dooley, Mike Seare, Kit Rowland, Marc Rowland, Lucy McKay, Callum Owen, Luca Marsella, Alex Bayley, Kayla Doble, Kate Boothroyd, Jem Boothroyd, Wayne Llewellyn, Andy Skyrme, Simon Howell, Gordon Denslow, Chris Sherwood, John Murphy
