The Garage 333

NEWS
Ben launches Christmas Appeal as
demand for support soars
Ben, the automotive industry charity, has
launched a new Christmas Appeal which
aims to raise at least £500,000 to ensure it
can support the record numbers of people
calling on its services this year.
Ben has seen a 147% increase in demand
for support during 2021 as more people
than ever before turn to the charity with
issues ranging from mental and physical
health to poverty, domestic abuse,
homelessness and more. These issues are
more urgent and more complex than ever
before but with fundraising income still
impacted by Covid-19, Ben fears it will
face the prospect of not being able to help
everyone in need.
With many of this year’s fundraising
events having fallen victim to cancellation,
the charity is asking businesses to pledge
support for those industry colleagues and
their families who may be struggling.
Ben Chief Executive Zara Ross said:
“While everyone continues to deal
with the aftermath of Covid-19, it has
been encouraging to see the positive
bounce-back enjoyed by much of our
industry this year. However, we know that
many of our automotive family - the people
our industry relies on – are struggling or
in crisis as they continue to face life’s
toughest challenges.
“I am proud that together, through the
pandemic, we have shown that whenever
any member of our automotive family is
struggling, we all rally to support them. The
Christmas Appeal provides a tangible way
that organisations can pledge their support
and make a tangible difference.”
Ben’s Director of Partnerships,
Engagement & Income, Matt Wigginton
added: “Twelve months ago, things were
looking desperate. More people than
ever contacted Ben for support, and we
faced the terrible prospect of turning
individuals away if we were unable to
raise more money. We were so humbled
and overwhelmed by the generosity of
our industry, with businesses of all sizes
pledging donations totalling £600,000 in
just a few short weeks.
“Without that support we would not
have been able to support people when
Ben was their last or only hope. However,
the past few months have seen a significant
increase in the number of calls for support
once again. Despite strong business
performance being reported, things are not
getting better for many in our automotive
family. Already this year we have helped
147% more people than last year, and 78%
more than our previous record levels in
2019.
“And with the continued cancellation of
our fundraising events this year we urgently
need to raise at least another £500,000
this Christmas to ensure we can help the
growing numbers turning to us for support.
Ben’s Health & Wellbeing Director,
Rachel Clift concludes: “People are turning
to Ben for support with more urgent and
more complex issues than ever before.
The good news is that we are continuing
to make a significant difference in the lives
of those people who reach out to us. This
is testament to our tailored support and
our exceptional team. But with fundraising
income still impacted by Covid-19, we are
once again facing the prospect of not being
able to help everyone.
“We hope that we can rely on the
industry’s support for this campaign, and
that organisations will feel able to make
a gift to people in our automotive family
who are facing the kind of challenges this
Christmas that we hope we will never face
ourselves.”
Ben is delighted to have received a
significant donation of £100,000 from
Arnold Clark to kick-start this year’s
campaign with Eddie Hawthorne, Group
Managing Director, saying “Ben has always
supported our people at Arnold Clark, no
matter what issues they have faced, and
I am delighted to recognise that with a
substantial donation to Ben’s Christmas
campaign. There will be many businesses
in our industry who have had a very good
year, but whose colleagues will have
benefited from Ben’s support during
what has been an incredibly tough time
for them. I would urge them to recognise
that by supporting our charity Ben and
helping ensure they’re always there for our
people.”
Those wishing to contribute can pledge
support by emailing pledge@ben.org.
uk. To discuss further ways of supporting
Ben, call Matt Wigginton, Director of
Partnerships, Engagement & Income, on
07880 813051.
28 THE GARAGE
28 News Ben.indd 1 18/11/2021 15:39