Clive Reid, patron of the AFB polo team, had already secured his place in Club history by securing the top bid in our Princes’ Ground charity auction. His £10,000 bid secured him the opportunity to be the first player to stick & ball on our new, high-goal Princes’ Ground. However, on arriving at the Club to start stick & balling Clive unexpectedly, and incredibly generously, doubled his bid to £20,000. This enabled the two charities benefitting from this one-off auction, Wexham Park Hospital’s newly opened Emergency Assessment Centre (EAC) and a local domestic abuse charity, The Dash Charity head home with a cheque for £10,000 each.
Despite such a generous sum, Clive was very matter-of-fact about the donation. “I just wanted to thank the NHS for what it has done over the past few months, it has been amazing,” said Clive. “It is so hard for all charities at this time so why not donate if you can.”
Representatives from both organisations were at Smith’s Lawn on Friday, adhering to the Club’s strict social distancing rules, to meet Clive and other members of the AFB team and receive their cheques from this most generous of patrons. For both charities it was a first visit to Guards Polo Club but they are all looking forward to returning on Sunday 2 August for our NHS Day – when Guards Polo Club will offer a complimentary day out at polo for all local NHS workers and their families – if the government’s Covid 19 regulations allow.
Sue Veltri, the head nurse at Wexham Park Hospital’s Emergency Assessment Centre said: “ We would like to thank Clive Reid and Guards Polo Club for their donation. The money will go towards an outside terrace on the third floor of the unit so that all the staff can enjoy their breaks in a comfortable setting, out in the fresh air. Words cannot express how grateful we are.”
Alison Bourne, Chief Executive of The Dash Charity, revealed what Clive’s generosity meant to them: “We at The Dash Charity cannot thank Clive and The Guards Polo Club enough for this fantastic donation. We are a small, local charity providing critical support to the residents of the Royal Borough [of Windsor and Maidenhead] and have never been busier in our 42-year history. Donations like this enable us to provide support to more women, men and children in the Borough and we look forward to a great partnership with the Club in the future. Thank you!”
Following the stick & ball session Clive added: “I am honoured to have been the first person to stick & ball on this ground. It was absolutely amazing, a great experience. Polo is played at such a speed that the quality of the grounds are so important for the health of the horses. Guards Polo Club has invested in its grounds and the Princes’ Ground is now one of the best grounds in England.”
We are still taking donations to add to Clive's bid and so if you would like to contribute to this important charity appeal please email James Neighbour at [email protected]
© Images of Polo / Hannah Wyles
