Liverpool Sportswoman’s Lunch 2023 raises 30K for LFC Foundation
The Liverpool Sportswoman’s Lunch (LSL) is celebrating its most successful fundraising year ever, after the 2023 event raised an incredible £30,000 for the LFC Foundation.
The phenomenal sum will be used by LFC Foundation to support the KJT Academy, the charitable organisation run by the LSL 2023 guest speaker and multi-event athletics legend, Katarina Johnson-Thompson.
The KJT Academy aims to provide opportunities to state-schooled athletes aged 16-21 from diverse ethnic communities, enabling them to access support they have previously not had equal access to. It draws on Katarina’s personal experience and provides guidance and experiences to athletes at a period in their development when they need it most, as well as providing key support systems, personal mentoring from Katarina and Academy days hosted at Liverpool Football Club.
Now a highlight of the city’s social calendar, the LSL 2023 marked its fifth anniversary on Thursday 14th September, with the glittering event at Anfield, with 355 guests in attendance.
The sold-out celebration saw guests enjoy games, raffles and auctions hosted by LFCTV lead presenter, commentator, and LFC pitchside announcer, Peter McDowall, as well as a fascinating talk from Katarina Johnson-Thompson, fresh from winning her second heptathlon world title at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
Festivities continued late into the evening with entertainment provided by Liverpool’s world-renowned Bongo’s Bingo.
Event co-organiser Natalie Dye, from Bathgate Business Finance, said: “Celebrating the fifth anniversary of this fantastic event by raising the largest amount of money for our chosen charity is just incredible and so fitting. Back in 2018, when we sat around the table and planned our first event, Katarina Johnson-Thompson was one of the names on our ‘wish list’ of speakers.
“This year we finally secured her as our guest of honour and raised £30,000 which, through the LFC Foundation, will be going to support the fantastic work of her organisation, the KJT Academy.
“On behalf of all of the event organisers I want to thank our guests for the amazing generosity on the day and for their support over the last five years – we’ve got a big job ahead of us to top this year’s event in 2024!”
Katarina Johnson-Thompson said: “It was fantastic to attend and speak at the Liverpool Sportswomen’s Lunch and we are really pleased that the event was run to support the LFC Foundation this year. With an amazing £30,000 raised this will be used by the LFC Foundation to work in partnership with the KJT Academy to support and develop talented, passionate young athletes from some of the most underserved parts of our community in the North West and ensure that their potential in sport – and in life – is not limited by financial disadvantage.”
Originally founded and supported by Bathgate Business Finance, MSIF and DTM Legal in 2018, the Liverpool Sportswoman’s Lunch now comprises a host of proud sponsors including Brabners LLP, NatWest Commercial, Bibby Financial Services and Flavell Wealth Management, Langtons Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors, Professional Liverpool, and Griffiths & Armour.
The Liverpool Sportswoman’s Lunch will return on Thursday 12th September 2024. For updates and further information, stay tuned to: www.liverpoolsportswomanlunch.co.uk
Image credit: Arthur Gold