Ben Ball 2021 succeeds in raising £96,500 for automotive charity

The Ben automotive benevolent charity looks set to be handed a £500,000 Christmas gift after the Ben Ball 2021 succeeded in delivering a £96,500 festive fund-raising boost.

Donations made at last week’s event at The Roundhouse, London, will be combined with pledges made to its urgent Christmas Appeal to create a near half-a-million fund to help people in financial hardship or struggling with physical or mental issues.

Matt Wigginton, Ben’s director of partnerships, engagement and income, said: “When I was told of the final total raised to help our friends and colleagues in need, I was so moved.

“During the pandemic, the number of people who have been reaching out to us for help has sky-rocketed and we need to be able to provide support right away – vital support that really does save lives.

“We rely on donations to be able to give this support and we knew that the 2021 Ben Ball would be more crucial this year than ever before.”

The Ben Ball returned in 2021 after a COVID-19 enforced hiatus last year.

Combined with other cancelled fund-raising activities in 2020, the loss of the Ben Ball resulted in a £1 million fund-raising shortfall last year.

Suppliers and car retailers were generous in helping to pug the gap, however, with a series of pledges made to support the charity.

Last month Ben issued a further appeal for assistance, launching a new Christmas appeal aiming to raise at least £500,000 to ensure it can support the record numbers of people calling on its services this year.

During 2021, Ben has seen a 147% increase in demand for support as more people than ever before turn to the charity with issues including mental and physical health to poverty, domestic abuse, homelessness.

The Ben Ball 2021 created a number of opportunities for guests to donate funds, including a live auction hosted by TV auctioneer and presenter, Jamie Breese.

The Roundhouse was transformed into a spectacular winter ballroom for the evening, and 600 assembled guests were treated to live entertainment from LED drum crew, Spark! and a performance from the aerial acrobatic circus troupe, Arctic Cirque.

Ben also updated guests on the forthcoming Industry Leader Challenge – a Kilimanjaro climb set to take place in 2022.

Wigginton said: “We want to thank all those who joined us for the Ben Ball. It was a fabulous night and we hope you enjoyed the chance to dance and celebrate this wonderful community we are a part of.

“The generosity shown on the night – not only to raise nearly £100,000 but also the further pledges in support of our recent rallying cry – was incredible. We promise to make it count.”