Thursday, February 16th, 2023
Rugby conversation came a close second at an inspiring meeting recently that brought together SpecialEffect Trustee and former rugby player Rob Camm, international rugby legend Scott Quinnell, SMEG (UK) Ltd MD Mike Giddings and Alison Rennie, Customer Engagement and HR Director at SMEG (UK) Ltd.
SMEG (UK) are generously supporting our work, including our StarGaze service, and it was powerful and inspiring to hear Rob explaining first hand how it had transformed his life following a spinal injury. Our Founder and CEO Dr Mick Donegan was on hand to explain more about the lifelong nature of the StarGaze support and impact the the charity as a whole is having around the world. Scott, a former Welsh and British & Irish Lions rugby international, noted the extent of the positive impact of Stargaze. “It’s not just the people that SpecialEffect help,” he said, “It’s the whole extended circle of friends and family that feel the benefits.”
SMEG (UK) have adopted us as a charity partner and have various fundraising events planned in the coming months. MD Mike Giddings said, “We at Smeg are delighted to be able to support the team at Specialeffect. It’s a great charity doing amazing work assisting so many people in desperate need of help to regain their independence. It was just amazing to visit Rob at his home to see at first hand the lifechanging impact the technology and support provided by the Specialeffect team has had on him and the rest of his family’s life.”
We’re indebted to SMEG (UK) for their help. We don’t charge for our services, so their existence is dependent on the generosity of the many wonderful individuals and organisations across the globe who enable us to help as many people as possible. A huge thank you also to Ian, Rob and the Camm family (huge rugby fans) for hosting the meeting.
Below (left to right): Alison Rennie, Mike Giddings, Mick Donegan, Rob Camm and Scott Quinnell (photo: Gillan Williams)