Annual Ball raises £81,500!

We celebrated our Annual Ball this year at Hardwick Hall Hotel’s Grand Marquee. Thanks to the donations of our generous supporters, we raised a staggering £81,500 for worthy causes right here on Teesside!

Held in association with headline sponsors Boodles, guests enjoyed a range of entertainment, featuring casino games, Whack Attack, thrilling racing simulators, and a 360-degree camera experience. The night also featured live music from local band Storm, with a surprise silent disco that kept the fun going.

Guests of the ball watched a video about the charity’s new initiative to fund therapy sessions for students at Middlesbrough College and as a result of their generosity we were able to fund the college £13,500 which will fund 450 therapy sessions for students at the college.

Andy Preston, who founded the charity with Tanya Garland in 2011, also gave a heartfelt speech about how it all began and the importance of giving back.

Prior to his departure from the board next month, trustee Karl Pemberton was recognised during the event for his dedication to the charity and given a special award by Andy in appreciation of his long service.

A special announcement was made on the night to celebrate the charity’s achievement of breaking the £6 million raised barrier. Trustees gathered on the stage with founder Andy Preston to reveal the remarkable milestone to guests with a pyrotechnic display.

Prizes on the night included a Middlesbrough FC experience kindly donated by The Endeavour Partnership and Gallagher, a week-long stay in a Windemere Cottage kindly donated by Ian and Jayne Gordon, a Boodles and Grantley Hall experience kindly donated by Boodles and Grantley Hall, a trip to Twickenham accompanied with an overnight stay kindly donated by Charles Clinkard and a Terra Dining Experience with overnight stay at Rockliffe Hall kindly donated by Rockliffe Hall.

We would like to say a huge thank you to the following individuals and businesses who donated prizes for this year’s Annual Ball, which you can view here. Whether for our live auction, silent auction, envelope raffle or general raffle, your contributions play a large part in the night’s success, and we are beyond grateful.

Huge thank you to our headline sponsor, Boodles, co-sponsor px Group, programme sponsor The Endeavour Partnership, drinks reception sponsor Begbies Traynor, wine sponsor Racz Group, room décor sponsor Waltons Business Advisers & Chartered Accountants, entertainment sponsor Attis Insurance Brokers Ltd.

Thank you to our amazing compare Alfie Joey, and special mention to Hardwick Hall Hotel, LMS Entertainment, Freddie Douglas Events & Balloons, Barclays, and Storm AV, and lastly thank you to all who attended, we can’t wait for next year!