Bacon baps, Bran Flakes and baked treats will all be back on the menu as Ben’s Big Breakfast charity fund-raising event returns for 2022.

Set to be served-up in a week-long series of activities starting on World Mental Health Day (October 10) will see automotive businesses encourage customers, friends and family to bring, bake or make a delicious breakfast spread.

Participating businesses will also be selling their breakfast treats to raise money automotive workers in need of Ben’s help.

Ben will also provide a Ben Bear to those hosting a Big Breakfast to raffle off and boost the fundraising efforts.

Matt Wigginton, Ben’s director of partnerships, engagement and income, said: “It’s official. The automotive industry loves a breakfast. Over 200 locations took part in last year’s inaugural Ben’s Big Breakfast – an unprecedented amount – so we knew we had to bring it back in 2022 and aim to reach even more automotive businesses.

TrustFord was one of the car retail group's to embrace Ben's Big Breakfast charity fund-raiser in 2021“The Big Breakfast is such a simple way to raise funds, but it’s also an important reminder to check in with our colleagues.

“Having a chat over a cup of coffee in the morning could make such a difference to someone’s day without you even realising it.

“Often, people are suffering in silence, thinking that nobody has noticed or cares about them. A small gesture like catching up over a cuppa could change that. It could be the first step to them opening up, or reaching out to Ben for help.”

After the COVID-19 pandemic left Ben with a £1 million hole in its coffers, the charity is back with a bang in 2022.

Last month it set out on a UK roadshow to coincide with national Conversation Week (May 23 to 29), visiting small and medium-sized automotive businesses across the UK.

The charity has already promised that its Ben Ball event – cancelled due to the pandemic in 2020 – will return on December 7.

And the gruelling Beast of Ben is set to form its landmark, sector-wide fund-raiser for 2022.

Beast of Ben will take place between July 6 and July 8 at a location just outside Llanberis, North Wales, and involves several team challenges, including abseiling, water crossing, and problem solving, with the winning team taking home a trophy.

To find out more about Ben’s Big Breakfast 2022 or to sign up to this year’s event, visit https://ben.org.uk/get-involved/individual-and-corporate-events/ben-s-big-breakfast/