The Spinal Injuries Association Gunpowder Ball 2023

The Gunpowder Ball is a much eagerly awaited annual event hosted by the Spinal Injuries Association. Taking place at the Honourable Artillery Company in London, the evening provides those within the SCI community an opportunity to mix and mingle alongside great food and fireworks. Most importantly, it provided the SIA an opportunity to highlight the fantastic work that it does and intends to do.

This year we heard two amazing speeches, the first from Nik Hartley, CEO. Nik’s speech focussed on the SIA’s Strategy 2030 – a seven year plan to transform the situation faced by people who live with spinal cord injury nationwide and we were given first sight of the SIA’s new video promoting the same. Part of the SIA’s Strategy 2030 is the coordination of a network of support and services nationwide through a national network of partners and the development of local community groups. As a Trusted Legal Partner in the South East, Bolt Burdon Kemp has seen firsthand how beneficial such a network can be, especially the community groups which are linking people together who otherwise might struggle to find each other.

As well as Nik, we also heard from SIA Ambassador Jonathan Goodwin who spoke incredibly candidly about his experiences from when he was newly injured, including the hugely positive impact the SIA had on his rehabilitation and life after injury. To say the services provided by the SIA can be life changing is by no means an understatement.

Of course, the Gunpowder Ball is also an opportunity for the SIA to fundraise so that it can continue to provide all of its amazing services and this year the ball raised an incredible £96,000.

I for one am already looking forward to next year!