Sunshine, Shooting, and Shared Purpose

Reflections from the Magic Future Foundation Charity Clay Day at Holland & Holland

There are some gatherings that stay with you not because of a single speech or presentation, but because of the atmosphere created when remarkable people come together around a meaningful purpose.

The Magic Future Foundation Charity Clay Day at Holland & Holland Shooting Grounds on 5 September 2025 was very much one of those days.

Hosted by Tom Spanner in support of the Magic Future Foundation, the day brought together a curated group of family office principals, CIOs and private investors for an experience that combined sport, friendship, generosity and reflection in equal measure.

Set against blue skies just outside London, guests arrived dressed in tweeds and divided into small shooting teams. Some came with decades of shooting experience and beautifully maintained guns of their own, while others were trying clay shooting for the very first time. One family office even brought along a wonderfully spirited cocker spaniel who quickly became part of the team dynamic for the day.

There is something uniquely disarming about spending time outdoors together in this kind of setting. Conversations unfold differently than they do across boardroom tables or formal conference seating. People relax. Stories emerge. Laughter comes more easily. Relationships deepen naturally.

And few places could have provided a finer backdrop than Holland & Holland itself.

Founded in 1835, Holland & Holland remains synonymous with exceptional British gunmaking and sporting tradition. The grounds carry a quiet sense of heritage and craftsmanship that feels distinctly British, without ever becoming overly formal or inaccessible. The experience somehow manages to feel both refined and warmly welcoming at the same time.

Yet what made the day truly memorable extended far beyond the shooting itself.

The event formed part of the broader charitable efforts of the Magic Future Foundation, established in memory of Oliver Wissenbach, who tragically passed away at just 25 years old. Following Oli’s passing, the Wissenbach family committed themselves to an extraordinary mission: building 100 schools in his honour.

As we heard throughout the day, the Foundation’s fundraising efforts have consistently reflected the same spirit of ambition and creativity, from the original Magnificent 7 lunch at Le Manoir, to skiing every run in Méribel, to the Marathon du Médoc. Each initiative has sought not simply to raise funds, but to create unforgettable experiences that bring people together around something larger than themselves.

Friday’s Clay Day carried precisely that same energy.

From the remarkable group of guests and supporters, to the sponsors and organisers who helped bring everything together, there was a palpable sense from the outset that this was going to be a meaningful day.

By the close of the event, enough had been raised to fund three additional schools, bringing the Foundation to 33 schools built toward its goal of 100.

I had been familiar with the Magic Future Foundation prior to the event, having read Oli’s story online, but hearing about his life and loss directly from his father, Stefan Wissenbach, brought the mission into focus in a profoundly human way.

It is difficult to adequately describe the emotional impact that moment had on the room.

As Stefan spoke about Oli’s struggles with dyslexia, his compassion for others, and the meaning the Foundation has brought to preserving his legacy, I suspect very few people at our table remained untouched. I certainly did not as tears emerged quickly. There are moments in life where grief, love and purpose seem to exist simultaneously, and this was undeniably one of them.

And then, almost perfectly, the mood shifted.

Auctioneer Jonny Gould, whose energy and humour were nothing short of hysterical, somehow managed to lift the entire room from tears to roaring laughter within minutes. His ability to entertain while championing the cause was extraordinary, and by the end of the auction the room felt lighter, more connected and even more committed to the Foundation’s mission. I was especially delighted to see one of my guests walk away as a successful bidder.

What struck me most throughout the day was the generosity of spirit present across every aspect of the event.

Not simply financial generosity, though the fundraising achievement itself was remarkable, but generosity in time, warmth, conversation and shared experience. In a world that can often feel increasingly transactional, days like this serve as an important reminder that genuine community still matters deeply.

Events such as this complement the broader Crest calendar, creating opportunities for members of the family office community to connect in more personal and informal settings while strengthening relationships that often continue throughout the year.

At Crest, many of our gatherings centre around investment themes, global trends and thoughtful dialogue between family offices. Yet some of the most meaningful relationships are often formed outside formal discussion rooms entirely, whether walking between shooting stands, sharing stories over lunch or laughing together under unexpectedly perfect English sunshine.

In the end, this was far more than a sporting event or charity fundraiser.

It was a day of real camaraderie, heartfelt purpose and unforgettable humanity, all in honour of a young man whose legacy is now helping educate future generations of children around the world.

And somehow, by the time the last conversations faded into the late afternoon light, it felt as though everyone left carrying something meaningful home with them.