Following a successful appeal by Autism Wessex inviting local couples celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary to come along to the charity’s Sapphire Ball on 29 June, the regional charity is delighted to announce the winners as Mr and Mrs Loveitt, who will be celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary this September. The couple live in Poole.
Lin explains, “We met whilst we were both serving in the RAF. I was doing my basic training at RAF Spitalgate and Steve was stationed at RAF Cranwell. I was 17 when we met and Steve was 20. We married when I was 18 and Steve 21.”
Lin was born in Oakdale, Poole and went to Stanley Green Infant School, Oakdale Junior School and Parkstone Grammar School. After school Lin worked as a Biomedical Scientist in Haematology at Poole Hospital for 22 years with Steve working as a lecturer in Hospitality and Catering at Poole and Bournemouth College. Steve was born in Bristol.
The couple have three children: Matthew, Simon and Stephanie, and now have 6 grandchildren with the new arrival, Belle, being just a few days old. Belle is seen by her grandparents as the icing on the cake for their celebratory year! Simon and Stephanie both remain local whilst Matthew lives in Indiana in the USA. The whole family will be reunited for the first time in many years as part of the anniversary celebrations, with the grandchildren all meeting each other for the first time.
Paul Reade, Community and Events Fundraiser comments, “We were delighted with the response to our appeal and really look forward to welcoming Mr and Mrs Loveitt as guests of honour at our own anniversary event marking 45 years of Autism Wessex. 45 years is an impressive milestone and we look forward to celebrating together. We are fortunate that our Sapphire Ball is being sponsored by NWM Solutions, Basepoint Bournemouth and Salad Creative meaning every penny raised can be spent where there is the most need for support.”
The last remaining tables of ten are available for £500 and individual tickets can be purchased for £55 per person which includes a drink on arrival and a 3-course meal as well as the evening’s entertainment. Being held at the Queens Hotel in Bournemouth the evening promises to be a red carpet event full of glitz and glamour. Guests, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Bournemouth, will be entertained by a table magician and music group The Alibi. The Ball will also feature a grand charity auction which includes 2 tickets for Ladies Wimbledon Final (which takes place just one week after the ball), a signed GB Cycling Jersey by Dani King, ‘Tea for 2’ at Harrods, a 4-Ball at Isle of Purbeck Golf Course, as well as a magnum of Bollinger Champagne with a Bollinger ice bucket and flutes.
When asked the secret of a happy marriage the couple comment; “This is a tough question! We feel blessed that we have such a happy marriage and can only say that pulling together during hard times and sharing the joy in the good times works for us.”
