Business community digs deep at Firecracker Ball
A RECORD figure of £200,000 was raised at this year’s Firecracker Ball, organisers have revealed.
More than 750 people, the majority from the region’s business community, attended the annual event, which is one of the highlights of the Yorkshire social calendar.
An auction at the dinner, held at Rudding Park in Harrogate, saw individual lots go under the hammer for as much as £32,000.
A collection of ‘money can’t buy’ auction prizes were attributed to the success of the occasion.
Lots included exclusive use of the prestigious Gidleigh Park for 24 couples, a weekend for six guests aboard the Lady T sports cruiser with private jet transfers in the south of France and a holiday in Barbados.
Items also included a bespoke dress designed by Ben De Lisi and an appearance in celebrity magazine OK!.
Other initiatives, including a raffle, raised further donations for children’s charity Barnardo’s and its causes across Yorkshire.
Philip Taylor, chairman of Firecracker Ball and vice president of Barnardo’s, thanked all those who attended for their support.
Mr Taylor added: “This year we have surpassed all expectations with record attendance and record fundraising.
“My extreme gratitude goes to the committee that work tirelessly each year to deliver an event to remember, our sponsors, without whom we wouldn’t have a platform to start from, and of course to our esteemed guests who give generously every time. This year has been truly momentous.”
Soul singer Beverley Knight and X Factor finalist Marcus Collins performed at the event, which was sponsored by Evans Property Group, UBS Wealth Management and Dickinson Dees.
TheBusinessDesk.com was media partner for the event.
