Category: Charity

1. Breakout for Ben raises £159k on the road to £1million

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 5th Mar 2021

   Automotive charity, Ben, announces that its 10-day virtual active challenge, Breakout for Ben, has raised just under £159,000 - an amazing total that will help address its £1million fundraising shortfall.

2. Ben launches fast-track access to digital mental health platform

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 20th Jan 2021

   Today on Blue Monday, automotive charity Ben is launching fast-track access to its digital mental and wellbeing platform, offering immediate support to those in need. On a day hailed as the most depressing of the year, Ben is giving automotive people the ability to sign up free to access online digital support for their mental health and wellbeing.

3. BEN ISSUES RALLYING CRY AFTER STRUGGLING TO SUPPORT RECORD DEMAND WITH FALLING INCOME

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 18th Nov 2020

   • Ben’s urgent support appeal to ensure no-one faces life's toughest challenges alone
   • The charity is supporting 50% more people while its income falls by £1m
   • Without additional funding, difficult choices may have to be made about which cases to support 

   Ben is making an urgent 'rallying cry' to automotive industry leaders as it faces a 50% increase in demand for services against a £1m income shortfall, following the cancellation of fundraising events including Ben Ball. Without additional funding, Ben may be forced to make difficult decisions about which cases to support. 

   Covid-19 is having an unprecedented impact on the health and wellbeing of the automotive workforce. More and more people are turning to Ben in financial hardship, or are struggling to cope with mental health issues and other life challenges including bereavement. 

   The letter (pictured) from Ben’s Chief Executive, Zara Ross, and Chair of the Board, Steve Nash, outlines how the industry can help ensure no-one faces life’s challenges alone. This letter is also being sent directly to industry leaders, as an urgent plea for support.
   
   Ben is asking companies to pledge to do three things:

   The pledge
   

   1. Be an advocate for Ben, ensuring the message of support is promoted widely within their business so everyone knows they are never alone
   2. Encourage colleagues to support Ben through Payroll Giving, Ben’s Big Weekly Lottery and its fundraising products and events
   3. Dig even deeper as a business to help address the £1m shortfall. 

   To show your support, email now via [email protected] or call 01344 298135. 

   Matt Wigginton, Fundraising Director at Ben, said: “This is an urgent situation that we’re facing - our support teams are at breaking point, with more cases than ever before and we don't see that changing. 

   “The issues people are facing are more complex and more urgent than we have ever seen before. If we're unable to fill this funding shortfall then we may not be able to support everyone who turns to us for help. That could have a life-changing impact on someone in your business. 

   “The automotive industry is like a family, we have to look after each other. People will remember what the leaders of our industry do in a time of crisis and I urge everyone to consider how you can help ensure Ben is there for everyone, no matter what. 

   "Amazingly, we have already received pledges for donations of more than £65,000 on the first day of this campaign. Every donation makes a huge difference to people's lives and we'll be celebrating each and every one publicly over the coming weeks. Thank you to those who have already pledged their support.”

4. BEN EXTENDS ITS SERVICES TO SUPPORT AUTOMOTIVE PEOPLE WHO FACE JOB LOSSES

   Posted on 10:00am Tuesday 20th Oct 2020

   Automotive charity, Ben, is now providing support to industry people who have lost their jobs and who are at risk of losing their jobs.

5. BEN LAUNCHES EXCITING NEW VIRTUAL CHALLENGES INSPIRED BY FORMULA 1

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 23rd Jul 2020

   • Automotive charity asks the industry to get behind new virtual challenges - Formula Ben
   • The first virtual challenge, Formula Ben Silverstone VGP, will raise vital funds for the charity
   • Ben needs the industry’s support to help automotive people get back on track

   Automotive industry charity, Ben, is launching its first ever series of virtual challenges, as part of Bring It On 4 Ben. The first of the charity’s virtual challenges to run this year, Formula Ben Silverstone VGP, starts on 2nd August and is inspired by the Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

   After the last few months of uncertainty, the Formula Ben Silverstone VGP will help automotive people get back on track, funding vital support which is needed now more than ever.

   To take part, each participant needs to complete the length of the Grand Prix, a total of 190 miles, by exercising in their own way to raise vital funds for Ben. Participants choose how they complete the challenge, for example, by walking, cycling, running, swimming, or even by playing basketball, wrestling, trampolining – or a mixture of whatever they like! There is a whole list of activities to choose from so click here to find out more.

   Participants have 8 weeks to complete the challenge which ends on 30th September. Those taking part will also be able to see their location on the Silverstone circuit and track their progress as they complete the 52 laps of the British Grand Prix.

   Sign up for Formula Ben Silverstone VGP
   To find out more and sign up, click here

   Registration costs £15 per person and each participant will receive a Ben T-shirt. On registration, participants can download an app, link to their fitness tracking device and join the leaderboard for some healthy competition!

   As well as raising vital funds to support automotive people, the Formula Ben Silverstone VGP also aims to help people improve their physical and mental health & wellbeing during this challenging time. In addition, taking part in the challenge offers people the opportunity to connect with others and be involved in something fun, while supporting Ben to help automotive people get back on track for good.

   As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of Ben’s fundraising initiatives have been cancelled, including Ben Ball, leaving the charity with an anticipated £1m income shortfall this year. Therefore, this new approach to fundraising is Ben’s way of adapting to the situation, with more virtual fundraising events set to take place throughout 2020.

   Matt Wigginton, Fundraising Director at Ben, said: “The whole team at Ben are incredibly excited to announce our new series of virtual fundraising events! In the current landscape, we had to adapt quickly and come up with new ways of fundraising because mass participation events can’t physically take place right now.

   “So, Formula Ben Silverstone VGP is a fantastic way to have fun and raise money so we can continue providing life-changing support for automotive people - which is needed now more than ever! We’re supporting more and more people with their health and wellbeing during this challenging time, so we need to make sure we can help them get back on track, which we can only do by continuing to fundraise. 

   “We hope you’ll be part of something amazing and Bring It On 4 Ben by getting involved! Thank you for your support and I can’t wait to see how you choose to complete Formula Ben Silverstone VGP.”