Firecracker Ball breaks through £2.5m fund raising barrier

One of the biggest charitable events in the region’s calendar took place in Harrogate on Saturday night and once again Yorkshire dug deep – with early indications showing over £270,000 raised for Barnardo’s.

The Firecracker Ball takes place every November at Rudding Park Hotel. Since launching in 2002, the event has now raised over £2.5m for Barnardo’s.

This year more than 800 guests were invited through the rabbit hole for the Alice in Wonderland themed event, for which TheBusinessDesk.com was media sponsor.

Barnardo’s vice president and chair of the Firecracker Ball committee, Phil Taylor said: “Every year we begin the planning and think how on earth can we even come close to what we did last year? And every year I wake up the day after and count myself lucky to have such an amazing committee working so very hard to pull it all together and, of course, the astonishing generosity of the people of Yorkshire who come every year and dig so very, very deep for such a wonderful charity.”

An auction of ‘money can’t buy’ prizes included lots donated by Sir Richard Branson, James Corden, Depeche Mode, Bruce Oldfield and a performance from the most successful British soul band of all time, Hot Chocolate.

Christopher Biggins joined the night via video link and thanked the people of Yorkshire for their continuing support and urged them to dig deep when the auction began. The 11 lots raised over £100,000 in less than half an hour.

All funds raised on the night will be donated to Barnardo’s in Yorkshire, which each year helps almost 14,000 children, young people and their families in over 80 specialised projects in local communities.
Kirsty Guy, senior relationship manager, from Barnardo’s, said: “The funds raised by the Firecracker Ball are invaluable in helping various Barnardo’s services across Yorkshire continue to offer vital services and support to vulnerable young people when and where they need it the most.”
Taylor added: “None of what we achieve every year would be possible without the help of our sponsors and supporters so we do need to thank the likes of Evans Property Group, Phillip Stoner Jewellers, UBS, The Angels Events, Oakapple Group, Team Make Print Work, TheBusinessDesk.com, and Source Marketing Communications amongst others for everything they do for the both the ball and Barnardo’s.”

Firecracker Ball event design and production by The Angels Events.

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