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Category: Charity
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Following the huge success of BBC TV series 'Race Across the World', Ben is recruiting teams to take on a new UK-based fundraising challenge for the automotive industry, called Race Across Britain.
This event will raise vital funds to support people who are struggling or in crisis and is proudly supported by LKQ Euro Car Parts.
Ben is challenging automotive industry people to pair up with colleagues and take on this new and epic 3-day race across Britain in February 2024. The event will raise funds for Ben during a time when the charity is supporting more people than ever during the cost-of-living crisis.
A maximum of 50 teams of two people will be challenged to reach set checkpoints throughout Britain from 26th – 28th February 2024. The teams will have a strict budget to cover all food, travel and accommodation. They won’t know any of the checkpoints beforehand so they can’t plan or pre-book travel or accommodation.
Participants also won’t be permitted to drive themselves, but they can use any form of public transport and cycle, run or walk. Teams will need to plan their own routes carefully and tactically, travelling from one checkpoint to the next. They will be able to take on extra challenges along the way to earn additional budget and help them progress.
Take on Race Across Britain
Find out more and sign up now!
Matt Wigginton, Director of Partnerships, Engagement & Income said: “We’re so excited to launch this new and epic race next year! With no planes, no smart phones and no plans, Ben’s Race Across Britain is set to be frenetic and lots of fun. It’ll be a true test of ingenuity, resolve and anyone and everyone in our industry can take part.
“We know our automotive family loves a bit of healthy competition, so this is the perfect way to have some fun while also supporting your dedicated industry charity. Demand for our services has reached levels never seen before, with one person every 10 minutes contacting Ben for support. That's putting huge pressure on our ability to manage such a dramatic increase in demand. Race Across Britain is a brilliant way to show your support for our automotive family, and every penny raised will make a positive difference to people's lives. Get involved!"
Andy Hamilton, Group Chief Executive Officer at LKQ Euro Car Parts, said: “Once again, Ben has pulled out all the stops to create a fun and engaging event to raise critical money for their vital services. As the automotive industry’s charity partner, we’d be lost without them. It’s a pleasure for LKQ Euro Car Parts to sponsor their Race Across Britain event. We’re looking forward to seeing some of you at the starting line!”
Whenever any member of our automotive family is struggling, or in crisis, we all rally to support.
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Ben, the automotive industry charity, has today launched a month-long campaign around suicide prevention, to raise awareness about this difficult topic and highlight that Ben is there for those struggling. As part of the campaign, new support and resources are now available on Ben’s website, as well as new online training.
The charity has created a new section of its website dedicated to suicide prevention with information, advice and guidance for individuals at risk of suicide, for those worried about someone and also for employers.
NEW suicide prevention support available at: www.ben.org.uk/suicideprevention 
- Content and resources on the topic of suicide prevention
- Downloadable resources and leaflets for individuals and employers
- Contact details so people know where to turn to for further support
- Information about relevant training and services for employers to support their employees
- New real life story about Tracey, who lost her husband to suicide.
According to ONS, in 2021, there were 6,567 deaths by suicide registered in the UK, with males aged between 45-49 as having the highest suicide rate in England and Wales1. A total of 126 people die by suicide in the UK every week, with around 74% of those being male2.
The automotive industry is male dominated (80% male, versus 20% female3) so there is potentially a greater risk and vulnerability to suicide than in other industries. Men often feel under pressure to not show signs of weakness and feel embarrassed to talk about their issues, so are less likely to seek help when struggling with their mental health. Sometimes, pride is a factor and men may think they can handle their problems on their own, or they worry about being a burden to others. Men are also more likely to respond to stress with risky behaviour such as abusing alcohol which increases the risk of suicide by up to eight times.
Sadly, Ben has seen an increase in calls to its helpline for support around suicide over recent years. In 2022, Ben supported 303 individuals who disclosed they were experiencing suicidal ideation or intent. Around 7 employers each year call on the charity’s Urgent Response Service after an employee has taken their own life.
Employers have a role to play in reducing the stigma around male mental health and to provide relevant support to prevent suicide. From findings in Ben’s survey report 2023, 1 in 3 automotive workers reported having had issues managing their mental health, compared with 1 in 6 of the general UK working population.
Relevant training and services
In addition to providing support for individuals, Ben also works with automotive industry employers to provide the following training and services:
Here is a recent testimonial about Ben’s new Suicide Awareness and Prevention training:
“The suicide awareness course from Ben was a great source of knowledge on a sensitive subject for both those with no experience of dealing with these issues to those with prior training. It gave practical advice of the tools and support that can be utilised in these difficult situations.” - Nicola Fairley, Arnold Clark
For more information on Ben’s training and services, email [email protected].
Rachel Clift, Health & Wellbeing Director at Ben, said: “Research and statistics should give us cause for concern in our industry, coupled with the fact we currently have more people than ever requesting support. This is why it’s crucial to raise awareness about loss of life through suicide, as it’s a difficult topic to broach. We want everyone in our industry to know that Ben is there for them and urge people to get in touch for support if they’re struggling or in crisis.
“If you work, or have worked, in the automotive industry please get in touch now if you don't feel you can cope or if you’re at breaking point. You can contact our free and confidential helpline.”
Ben is here for those who work, or have worked, in the automotive industry and their family dependents. Don't struggle alone, contact our helpline: 08081 311 333 or use our webchat at www.ben.org.uk. You can also access Ben’s out of hours text support line by texting BEN to 85258.
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- Ben is there for our automotive family this summer during cost-of-living crisis
- Some automotive families unable to put food on the table for their children this summer
- Ben supports automotive families so they don’t face a summer of despair
Ben, the automotive industry charity, is providing support to individuals and families who are facing money worries, debt or urgent need this summer.
Ben is already providing vital support for many families who are struggling to make ends meet and unable to afford essentials such as food and utilities during the cost-of-living crisis. Over the last 12 months, Ben has supported 128 households who couldn’t afford to put food on the table, 66 households who couldn’t pay their rent or mortgage costs and 52 households who couldn’t afford their utility bills.
More and more people than ever before are contacting Ben’s Helpline for support - during April-June 2023 there was a 23% increase in enquiries (year on year) and a 20% increase in support cases (year on year). People aren’t only struggling to make ends meet, they are also struggling with their mental health. Ben considers managing money as a key area that impacts on wellbeing. Given the knock-on effect that financial problems can have, increasing levels of stress, anxiety, low mood and depression are made worse when people can’t afford basic living costs.
In addition to supporting basic living costs, Ben also wants to give families, who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford it, the opportunity to enjoy spending time together and create special memories during the holidays. This is as well as taking pressure off families who face impending back to school costs including school uniform, bags and PE kits.
Ben is encouraging people not to struggle alone and get in touch.
Here are some quotes from people who have been supported by Ben during tough times:
“I felt at the lowest of low points in my life. I’ve never applied for any sort of benefit or hand-out in my life. I felt ashamed and embarrassed to ask for financial support. Ben made me feel welcome and worthy of this support.”
“The food voucher came through yesterday. My mum cried her eyes out, it’s such a weight off our minds. We can’t thank you enough!”
“I was reluctant to call Ben - typical man, not asking for help… but I did and after the first few minutes, knew I had made the right decision.”
Rachel Clift, Health & Wellbeing Director at Ben, said: “Times are getting increasingly tough for families and individuals, especially now the summer holidays are here. If you’re worried about making ends meet, buying food, paying the bills and school uniforms for September, you’re not alone, Ben is here for you. We want everyone in our industry to know that we’re here.
“Many individuals and families are being pushed to the edge with the current rising cost of living. It’s also impacting other areas of their health and wellbeing so if you work, or have worked, in the automotive industry please get in touch now if you’re struggling or feeling at breaking point. You can contact our free and confidential helpline.”
Ben is here for those who work, or have worked, in the automotive industry and their family dependents. Ben is already supporting many automotive families this Summer. Don't suffer in silence, contact our helpline: 08081 311 333 or use our webchat at www.ben.org.uk. You can also access Ben’s out of hours text support line by texting BEN to 85258.
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Automotive industry charity, Ben, is inviting the automotive community to ‘Rev up 4 Ben’ and create an ultimate driving playlist, with songs handpicked by industry people, influencers and enthusiasts.
The purpose of the campaign is to curate an epic Spotify playlist of driving songs for summer while encouraging engagement for the charity on social media using #RevUp4Ben, as well as increasing sign ups to its email list. This will help get as many people in the industry as possible to know that Ben is there to support them.
As it’s summer and peak time for travelling to new destinations, it’s the perfect opportunity for a new playlist - Ben can save you the time and provide one, recommended by your colleagues in the industry!
Get involved
Find out more about #RevUp4Ben and get your favourite driving song on the playlist: www.ben.org.uk/drivingplaylist
Sign up to receive the playlist
To get the ultimate driving playlist sent straight to your inbox when it’s ready, sign up to hear from Ben: www.ben.org.uk/signup.
Ellen Plumer, Head of Marketing, Outreach, Communications & Awareness, said: “To celebrate a love of music, driving and our industry, we’re creating the ultimate driving playlist, chosen by the automotive community – by the community, for the community! We’re really excited to launch this just in time for summer so those travelling to new holiday destinations can have a great new set of tunes to listen to on their journeys.
“The purpose of the campaign is also to boost awareness and increase Ben’s reach so that everyone in our industry knows about the services we provide. We need your help to spread the word about Ben and our services so no-one in our industry has to struggle alone. Help us do this by getting ready to #RevUp4Ben!”
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Automotive industry charity, Ben, is inviting the automotive community to take on Benathlon in September and host a Ben’s Big Breakfast in October to raise vital funds and support those who are struggling or in crisis.
To take part in the second Benathlon, participants will exercise in their own way for 30 minutes each day for the 30 days of September and raise £30 for Ben. Participants can choose how they complete the challenge, for example, by walking, cycling, running, swimming, or even by horse riding or skipping!
Benathlon runs twice a year and aims to improve participants’ mental and physical health while also fundraising to support automotive colleagues to get back on track. A total of 130 people took part in March and September's event is already shaping up to be bigger and better than the last with many people already having signed up.
Ben’s Big Breakfast is in its third year, running from 9th-15th October, and invites automotive industry companies to host a breakfast to fundraise for Ben.
Breakfast brings together employees, customers and families to share the most important meal of the day, aiming to connect with each other and check in, supporting each other’s mental health. A total of 158 companies took part in last year’s Ben’s Big Breakfast and the charity hopes for this year to be even bigger and better.
Sign up today!
Click here to take on Benathlon
Click here and get eggcited for Ben’s Big Breakfast
Matt Wigginton, Director of Partnerships, Engagement & Income at Ben, said: “We can’t wait to get cracking with our next fundraising events later this year and hope to see many of our automotive family take part in both!
“Demand for Ben’s support services has reached new highs due to the cost-of-living crisis, so without your support we can’t continue to support the increasing demand. Thank you - more people than ever need our support, yours will mean we can reach them all.”
Whenever any member of our automotive family is struggling, or in crisis, we all rally to support.
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