Benevolent Ball at the Natural History Museum raises £50k

The Benevolent held its annual Ball at the Natural History Museum in London last night, which saw 430 members of the UK drinks trade gather to raise £50,000 for the UK drinks trade charity.

The Hintze Hall at the Natural History Museum. Credit: Andrew Fosker / PinPep

It was the first time that the event had been held at The Natural History Museum, with guests treated to a Champagne reception, sponsored by Laurent-Perrier, Louis Roederer, Moët et Chandon and Taittinger Champagne, before taking their seats in the Hintze Hall for dinner.

During the event, Joe Fattorini, a beneficiary of The Benevolent, shared his story as to how The Benevolent’s mental health helpline had helped him, and how he has benefitted from counselling sessions funded by the charity.

The Benevolent’s chairman, Michael Saunders, addressed the room with a powerful speech about the vital importance of regular donations to keep the charity’s work going, taking the opportunity to launch the new donors’ campaign, ‘It Could be Me’.

The campaign aims to encourage supporters of the charity to become regular donors, reminding them that one day they may need its services.

Donating the equivalent cost of a drink a month (£5 for a pint or £10 for a glass of wine), could make a huge difference to charity’s efforts to support colleagues in need, said Saunders.

Entertainment was provided by Master of Ceremonies Charles Metcalfe, who led the Power Pledge initiative and helped The Benevolent to raise over £13,500 in less than 10 mins.

“I cannot thank all our sponsors and friends in the industry enough who have helped us to achieve this,” said The Benevolent’s chief executive Chris Porter.

“I am delighted with the amount that we have raised. Please know that every penny will go towards helping those in our drinks industry community who are suffering financial and emotional hardship at this time. A brilliant night where the Trade really has come together to help its own”

Chris Porter, CEO of The Benevolent, and Michael Saunders, chairman of The Benevolent. Credit: Andrew Fosker / PinPep