Riverwatch: Lucky numbers all round

Feb 2 2010 By Mort Smith, Surrey Herald

WHEN 74-year-old John Molnar put £2 into the bowl for a charity draw on the London Boat Show stand taken by Shepperton's Bridge Marine, he didn't think he had much chance of winning the prize - an outboard motor.

So he was thrilled this week when Bridge Marine boss Jenny Beagle called to say his name had been drawn and he was the proud owner of a £560 Suzuki 2.5hp engine.

When he came to pick up his prize on Friday, John, from Wandsworth, told me: "My only win before now has been £10 on the lottery, so this is a wonderful surprise.

"I have a dinghy that I built 25 years ago, which I keep at my daughter's house in Marlow, and we sometimes take my grandchildren out for a row.

"But it's a heavy boat and we went to the Boat Show to look for an outboard, so this is fantastic."

Someone else who was taken by surprise was Judith Garland, a teacher at Walton Leigh School in Ellesmere Road, Walton, who took some of her pupils with special needs to Bridge Marine to receive a cheque for £225 raised by the Boat Show draw.

She said: "It's a lovely gift - we rely very heavily on this kind of donation and it's much appreciated. It makes us feel part of the community when people support us like this."

As a number of smiling pupils from the school lined up to have their pictures taken with the giant cheque. Jenny Beagle, whose niece, Sarah Prior, is also a pupil, was equally delighted.

She said: "It's great to be able to make a donation to this great school. They've done wonderful things for Sarah. When she started at the school she was a shy little girl who wouldn't say boo to a goose, but they've helped bring her out of herself and she's now much more confident.

"It's great to be able to give something back - and I'm indebted to all of those at the boat show who contributed to make this possible."

Jenny was pleased with the response she had at the show but surprised at how hectic it was towards the end.

"We were rushed off our feet for the last couple of days, but it was a great experience and we're still following up on sales leads we obtained," she added.

I'm delighted to hear it. It's always pleasing when a company like Bridge Marine, which clearly cares about its community and is determined to help where it can, gets the rewards it deserves.

Well done Jenny and team.