Apprentice stars do the business for Norwood
Lee McQueen, the winner of Series Four of the hit BBC show, The Apprentice, was reunited with five of his fellow contestants – Claire Young, Alex Wotherspoon, Helene Speight, Lucinda Ledgerwood and Raef Bjayou – on Wednesday 9 July at a sell-out fundraising evening in aid of Norwood, a leading UK charity that supports children, adults and families living with learning disabilities or coping with social difficulties. The event, attended by over 330 guests, was hosted by former BBC News presenter Emma Howard and featured the show’s executive producer Michele Kurland. Held at the offices of Allen and Overy LLP, this was the fourth year running that Norwood’s Enterprise Committee has organised an evening with stars from The Apprentice and the event raised over £26,000.
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Lee was once again the top performer on the night, beating his colleagues in a series of entertaining tasks that included a charity auction, a quiz to guess the correct prices of items such as a kosher chicken and the cost of doing laundry, and a contest to sell goody bags to the audience. Lee clinched the auction task with a stellar performance, and he and his fellow contestants also responded to a number of probing questions during an entertaining Q&A session with the audience.
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Lee said: “Working with Sir Alan Sugar has been an education. Sir Alan is a very fair boss, and I’ve had a lot of meetings with him in the City. I’m happy with my new job, but I also know that I have to deliver.”
Speaking after the event, Raef said: “I am delighted to be involved with Norwood, and the good work they are doing for children and adults with learning disabilities.” It’s a great cause, and I like to consider myself philanthropic. So, as a result, I will be running for Norwood in the London marathon next year, to do my little bit for an important charity.”
Guests were shown a moving appeal film about Norwood’s Employment Service, which identifies job opportunities for adults with a learning disability and prepares them to enter the work environment. The film focused on two Norwood service users who have successfully found jobs, and demonstrated the huge difference this has made to their lives.
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Lee McQueen said: “I am really happy to support Norwood, which carries out fantastic work. I am particularly impressed by its Employment Service, which supports adults with learning disabilities through the process of finding and carrying out paid work.”
Alex Wotherspoon added: “I think Norwood is a great charity. I have personal experience of learning disability within my family, including Down’s Syndrome, ADHD and Dyslexia. I know how important it is that organisations such as Norwood help to foster understanding in the community of these and many other conditions.”
The Apprentices were joined by energy expert Tarik Dulic of the Rejuvenation Centre, who led the audience on a journey into group meditation. At the end of the evening, the Apprentices mingled with the audience, signing autographs, posing for photographs and answering questions.
Ron Fogelman, of the Enterprise Committee, said: “It was a brilliant night, and thanks to generous sponsors and our panellists. It was great to have a charity event where the audience left so buzzed. All the proceeds will help to support the most vulnerable children and families in our community.”
For more information please contact the Public Relations Manager at Norwood on 020 8420 6900 or email pressoffice@norwood.org.uk
