MARY Peters Trust supporters, their guests, and sports people past and present, came together on Friday, November 21 for the Trust’s annual festive fundraising get together.
Hosted by UTV’s Ruth Gorman and held at Belfast’s Europa Hotel, the 2025 Sport Inspires gala lunch marked the 50th anniversary of the Mary Peters Trust.
On stage and joining Lady Mary for a series of ‘chat show’ style interviews were guests of honour; Dancing on Ice stars Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, Olympic gold medallist Rhys McClenaghan, who also showcased his skills on the pommel horse, and former Ireland rugby captain Rory Best, recently appointed as Ulster Rugby’s new General Manager.
The top tier panellists chatted to MC Ruth Gorman, of Ulster Television, about the highs and lows of life in the sporting fast lane and overcoming challenges to ultimately achieve goals and reach the pinnacle of their game.
The convivial gathering celebrated Northern Ireland’s sporting excellence whilst raising funds for talented athletes both disabled and able-bodied to go forward and progress to the highest level possible.
A special live auction included a generous range of auction items headlined by signed guitars donated by Sir Van Morrison, which raised £2,500, and Ed Sheeran, which raised £4,000, and unique artworks by Lisburn’s Neil Shawcross and James Bond actress Jane Seymour. Conducting the auction as part of his support for the Trust was well-known Ross’s auctioneer Daniel Clarke.
Reflecting on the day Lady Mary commented: “We’ve had a wonderful 50th anniversary year and the Trust has organised and been involved in several fabulous fundraising events from our Corporate Games to an amazing performance called Gold Medal Mary created by Maire Campbell and youth theatre group The Rainbow Factory.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported the Trust over the past half century, taken part in fundraising activities, or made donations. Thanks also to everyone who made today so special. A shout out to Daniel Clarke from Ross’s Auctioneers for his huge support with our Live Auction.
“We really do appreciate everyone’s donations especially in today’s challenging times. What we do makes a huge difference, and it’s so satisfying when our athletes, such as Rhys McClenaghan who joined us for today’s event, go on to win Olympic medals. We are so proud of them all.
“I’m really looking forward to next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and further into the future, the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.”
Lady Mary was presented with 1972 Munich Olympic flag, under which she won her pentathlon gold medal. It is signed by Olympians down the years since
Lady Mary with Irish News Picture Editor Mal McCann (centre) and Bob Given, winner of a photographic competition in memory of late Irish News photographer and Olympic boxer Hugh Russell
Olympic gold medal gymnast Rhys McClenaghan, MC Ruth Gorman (UTV) and Ulster and Ireland rugby legend Rory Best
Rhys performs a routine on the pommel horse
Ruth Gorman interviews Lady Mary and chief guests Torvill and Dean
