The Legends at Cafe Cornell - Saffron Walden

Legend on the Bench

A Magical Evening at Café Cornell, Saffron Walden

What a fantastic evening we had at Café Cornell in Saffron Walden, joined by football legends Ossie Ardiles, Graham Roberts, Mark Falco, Gary Mabbutt, and Clive Allen.

The event was lovingly organised by the incredible Samantha and Brian in support of Legend on the Bench. It was a truly special night, the atmosphere, the company, and the food, all absolutely first class. The meals were expertly prepared by Café Cornell’s own trained chefs and beautifully served by their team of trained waitresses.

But what made the night truly magical was the setting. Café Cornell is not your average venue, it’s part of an elderly care home, and the joy on the residents’ faces as they met their heroes was unforgettable. Pure happiness radiated from the room.

For those who may not know, Café Cornell is a social enterprise that teaches young people with special needs how to cook, serve, and develop other life skills, and they do it all with the biggest smiles. Their warmth and energy lit up the evening. For me, they were the true stars of the show. Below is a little information about Cafe Cornell.

Thanks to everyone who attended and donated, we raised a significant amount for Legend on the Bench, which will go toward installing more of our benches in parks across the UK, including one in Saffron Walden. These benches provide a safe space for conversation, reflection, and connection and yes, they save lives.

A huge thank you to the players who gave their time and hearts to our cause, true gentlemen, every one of them.

To Samantha and Brian, your generosity, passion, and commitment to the community are nothing short of inspirational. You are real superstars.

But the biggest thank you of the night must go to the amazing young people who cooked, served, smiled, and laughed throughout the evening. We were truly honoured to spend the night with you. You lit up our lives and reminded us all that no matter the challenges we face, happiness is a choice, and you chose joy.

AMAZING. 💙💙💙