Variety, the Children’s Charity, Wales was delighted to hold a Tribute Lunch for the Right Honourable The Lord Neil Kinnock at the Cardiff City stadium on Wednesday 9th May.

The speakers during the lunch included BBC Radio Wales personalities, Owen Money and Frank Hennessy, Wyn Calvin, a former chairman of the Variety Wales committee and a past King Rat of the Grand Order of Water Rats, and Russell Goodway, a former leader of Cardiff County Council.

Also in attendance were Rhodri Morgan, the former First Minister of the Welsh Assembly, Variety Chief Barker, Keith Andrews and his wife, Sue, and Alan Whiteley, Director of Cardiff City Football Club, who presented Lord Kinnock with a special football as he is a lifelong Bluebirds fan and regularly attends matches.

Variety Wales Chairman, Ross Cantor, said:

“The whole event went very well and the guests were suitably entertained by all of the speakers, especially the fantastic 40-strong Cardiff Athletic Male Voice Choir. Thank you to Lord Kinnock and our other guests during the day. We were delighted to raise money from the lunch and this will help to support our work to continue improving young lives in Wales.”

After the event, Lord Kinnock sent the following message to Variety Wales Chairman, Ross Cantor, to express his thanks.

Please convey my profound thanks to the Variety Wales Committee for the marvellous time that you all give me last week.

The welcome was warm and you could not have chosen performers and friends that I admire more than Owen and Frank. Please give them my warmest regards and gratitude. Obviously, the Choir and Wyn added bonuses and it was also great to see Rhodri andto hear Russell – who was so kind in his remarks. To hold it at the City Stadium was a stroke of genius and it was a great pleasure to meet the Chief Barker and his wife.

You gave me an unforgettable experience and I am deeply grateful.

Best wishes,

Neil

Thank you to everyone who supported the lunch and we look forward to seeing you all again at our next Variety Wales event!