Latest firecracker ball figure sees over £3.4m raised in total for Barnardo’s

One of the biggest and most prestigious charitable events in the region’s calendar returned to Rudding Park Hotel, in Harrogate, on Saturday 11 November 2023 and once again Yorkshire dug deep – with £115,000 raised.

This takes the total amount raised for Barnardo’s since it became The Firecracker Ball’s chosen charity in 2002 to over £3.4m.

The Firecracker Ball took place in a huge, themed marquee attached to the hotel, designed and produced by The Angels Events. This year 300 guests were transported to a Greek getaway, enjoying performances throughout the evening from show dancers, before Rick Parfitt Jnr and his band took to the stage and kept the party going well into the night.

This year the glittering black-tie event welcomed Tudor International Freight and Berry’s Jewellers as its main sponsors. Chair of the Firecracker committee Mark J Nelson also announced he was stepping down from the position, welcoming fellow committee member Tom Dempsey as his replacement.

Alongside the new sponsors, The Angels Events, Source Marketing Communications, TheBusinessDesk.com, Jon Hammond, Rudding Park, Purple Creative Studio and Made By Team returned to support the event as partners.

Chair of the Firecracker committee, Mark J Nelson, said: “I’d like to personally say a huge thanks for all the support and generosity of everyone involved in the ball, from those who have helped by donating a prize, buying a ticket or bidding in an auction. Without them we couldn’t help Barnardo’s to change the lives of thousands of children and young people in Yorkshire.

“It continues to be hard for charities not only recovering from the pandemic, but also now faced with the cost-of-living crisis and this has had an impact on fundraising revenue. So, we are extremely grateful for everyone’s invaluable support.

“It’s great to welcome Tom as the new chair of the committee. He has been a valuable part of the Firecracker Ball for a number of years now, and I couldn’t think of anyone better for the position. I am looking forward to seeing what he does with the Firecracker Ball over the coming years and know it will be taken to even greater heights.”

Highlights of the evening included moving speeches from representatives of Barnardo’s; and an auction of ‘money can’t buy’ prizes, including lots donated by Dom Matteo and Judith Levin.

The money raised from the event will help support children, young people, and families across Yorkshire. Currently, more than one in four children in the UK live in poverty, and without the right support, poverty will harm them long into their future as they face worse life chances, poorer health, and fewer opportunities.

Kirsty Guy, senior relationship manager at Barnardo’s, said: “These vital funds will contribute towards our services across Yorkshire and support the children, young people and families who need them the most. We are over the moon with the amazing amount of money that has been raised!”

Lynn Perry, MBE, chief executive at Barnardo’s, said: “We would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to everyone involved in the Firecracker Ball. Across the UK, far too many children are going to school hungry and returning to a cold home, and the money raised from this incredible event will help us deliver vital support to families living in poverty.

“At Barnardo’s we know if we can change a childhood, we can change a life, but we can’t do it alone. We are so grateful to the Firecracker Ball Committee and to all our supporters and volunteers who make our work possible.”

If you would like to find out more about the event, visit https://www.thefirecrackerball.co.uk. The Firecracker Ball 2024 will take place on Saturday 9 November 2024 and ticket details will be revealed soon.

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