A MASSIVE fund-raising target in aid of vulnerable children across Coventry has been smashed at a Ricoh Arena event.
Businesses from across Coventry and Warwickshire – and a star of reality television – pledged more than £73,000 at The White Tie and Tiara Ball Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
This means more than £1million has been raised through the event since it first moved to the Ricoh Arena 14 years ago.
All funds from the ball, organised by the Coventry & Warwickshire Business Board, go to support the running of Boole House, the NSPCC’s service centre in Coventry which cares for thousands of children in the area.
The money came through ticket sales, 12-month pledges, a diamond raffle as well as live and silent auctions.
Prizes included Winston Churchill’s signature, tickets for Wimbledon and worldwide business class flights from Turkish Airlines.
Entertainment was provided by Britain’s Got Talent star and Frank Sinatra tribute act Wayne Woodward.
Les Ratcliffe, chair of the Coventry & Warwickshire Business Board – which has raised close to £3million since it was set up 25 years ago – said the funds would continue to fund vital work across the area.
“Every penny raised across the 14 years since the Ricoh Arena has hosted the event is spent in Coventry and Warwickshire.
“Boole House was created by the group in its early years more than 21 years ago, and ever since, all the funds raised through a wide variety of events has gone to help fund the vital services which are run from there.
“This year’s event was superb, and it was great to see Wayne and his family not only embrace what we are doing, but also to dig deep to help the young people of Coventry and Warwickshire.”
The ball is one of several major fundraising activities organised throughout the year including a golf day, a Jaguar Drive weekend and two carol services which this year take place at Coventry Cathedral on December 15.
