Over the years, our Annual Dinner has brought together many of Lancashire’s leading businesses around a shared belief: that business success is about more than profit. It is also about using our collective influence, resources and passion to make the places where we live and work better for everyone.

This year’s dinner had a special atmosphere.  Our guests enjoyed a superb meal by Twelve Catering and heard contributions from the Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire, Amanda Parker; Executive Chairman of E.H. Booth & Co Ltd, Edwin Booth; and Managing Director of Nybble.co.uk Ltd, CFL Trustee and Lancashire Investors in Community Ambassador, Ram Gupta.

Together, their contributions celebrated the role Lancashire’s businesses can play in creating positive change across the county.

At the heart of the evening was the story of Sam, an 18-year-old wheelchair user living with cerebral palsy, whose life has been transformed through his involvement in wheelchair rugby.

Through Fylde Rugby Community Foundation, Sam has found much more than a sport. He has found friendship, confidence, community and a new lease of life.

His story brought to life exactly why Community Foundation for Lancashire exists: to open doors by getting funding to community organisations that create opportunities and improve lives across Lancashire.

Since 2020, Fylde Rugby Community Foundation has worked to improve health and wellbeing across Fylde and West Lancashire, creating free and accessible opportunities to take part in sport for people from disadvantaged and vulnerable backgrounds.

In the film, Sam shares the difference being part of the Foundation has made to his life, while the team at Fylde Rugby Community Foundation reflects on the importance of continued support in helping them reach more people in their community.

Watch Sam’s story below.

Our Annual Dinner is ultimately about bringing people together around a shared ambition for Lancashire, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s event possible.

A huge thank you to our event sponsors Marsden Building Society, RBC Brewin Dolphin and Big Tank Productions, and to all our members, supporters and guests who joined us at Browsholme Hall.

Together, we will continue to build a stronger, more connected Lancashire, where communities thrive.