A ball in boots
Every year in November, 2,000 students from across the UK converge on St Andrews wearing tuxedos and ball gowns with wellington boots. It’s not the normal dinner party look but it’s immensely successful – both in terms of having fun and raising money.
A rare event
We’re very fortunate that the Welly Ball has been fundraising for the Charlie Waller Trust since 2014, raising a grand total of £316,052.
The ball is organised by an incredibly hardworking committee of students. The Directors of the Welly Ball 2025 were Eva Shrimpton and Victoria Davila; Olivia Dickman was Head of Operations and Logistics, and Cameron Livingston was Head of Sponsorship.
Maggie Satterthwaite, Head of Charity, says: “I wanted to get involved with the Welly Ball because it felt like a rare kind of student event that’s both so fun and genuinely serious about impact. The partnership with the Trust is what really pulled me in – you can build a real relationship with the charity and see your impact grow over time.
“I loved that sense of continuity and accountability, and feeling truly connected to the team and its mission.”
That’s one of the reasons why the committee has chosen to continue to support the Trust. Maggie says: “Supporting the same charity year after year allows both committee members and Welly Ball attendees to develop a deeper understanding of the Trust’s work and to see first-hand how the funds raised are used.
"We feel incredibly fortunate to have supported the Trust for so many years, and that shared history makes the partnership particularly meaningful to us.”
Fun on a grand scale
Being part of the committee is no small undertaking, given it has to run alongside their studies. The ball is on a grand scale, with 900 guests enjoying a drinks reception and a three-course dinner, and over a thousand others arriving for the afterparty, with dancing and a variety of entertainment. “The ball is the result of a full year of planning,” says Maggie. “Balancing our commitments is the biggest challenge, but it’s also what makes being part of the ball so rewarding.”
Members of the committee all say how much they have loved the experience and shared some of their highlights with us:
“The friendships formed and the genuine passion the committee pours into it.” (Victoria)
“Spending set-up day together brings the committee closer and strengthens that sense of teamwork.” (Eva)
“Watching the fireworks together – knowing all the hard work and effort has paid off and we get to celebrate as friends and as a committee.” (Olivia)
“It’s given me the opportunity to meet some wonderful people and make an impact to such a fantastic charity.” (Cameron)
The November 2025 Welly Ball was the biggest yet, helping them to raise a record amount for the Trust – a phenomenal £45,000.
Generous sponsors and partners
Maggie says: “None of this would have been possible without the incredible generosity of our sponsors and partners, or without Falside Mill for hosting us. Seeing so many people come together in support of the cause was genuinely moving and made all the hard work feel completely worthwhile.”
