Sarah Sillars, Executive Chair of the IMI, has smashed through the original sponsorship target for her upcoming climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. Sarah and her daughter Rachael have now raised an incredible £26,000 for BEN, with eight weeks still to go until their challenge.

Sarah and Rachael’s total so far has been boosted by a generous donation by Andrew Cocksedge of AA Warranty who presented Sarah with a cheque for £13,245.

Speaking of his donation, Andrew said:

“I have long been an admirer of Sarah and the incredible work she has done for the motor industry in this country. To climb Kilimanjaro for BEN is an incredible thing to do and I really wanted to be able to support it. Thankfully, I found myself in a position to do so and am delighted to have boosted Sarah’s contribution to BEN by so much. I wish her and Rachael all the very best for their climb – the whole industry is behind you!”

BEN’s Director of Fundraising and Communications, Charles Davis, added:

“All of us here at BEN remain in awe of Sarah’s incredible commitment and the challenge she and Rachael are taking on to help us raise funds. Our sincere thanks to Andrew for his wonderful donation- you will make a real difference to the lives of our industry colleagues in need.”

You can add your support to Sarah and Rachael Sillars at their JustGiving page:http://www.justgiving.com/Sarah-Sillars

A team from Pinewood will be playing their part for motor industry charity BEN by competing in a five-a-side Football Challenge.

The event takes place at Derby Soccerdome on June 6 and the team – consisting of Matthew Cox, Matthew Tipper, Jason Francis, Andrew Cass, Paul Ferdenzi, Jonathon Davies and former Women’s Premiership player Kelly Pinner – will be playing against sides from other motor industry companies across the UK.

Captain Simon Brayshaw said: “We’re already training hard, have ordered our kits, are finalising our key formations and are hopeful of coming home with the BEN Football Challenge Trophy – but the most important thing is that we raise as much money and awareness for BEN as possible.”

Charles Davis, BEN’s Director of Fundraising and Communications said; “Our annual 5 aside tournament is the perfect way to have a great time while supporting your industry charity and allowing us to continue to provide invaluable help and support to our colleagues in need. I wish the team from Pinewood Technologies the very best in the competition and may the best team win!”

Anyone wanting to sponsor the Pinewood five-a-side team should visit www.justgiving.com/pinewood-ben-5aside.

BEN’s mission is to help the automotive and related industries provide care and support to employees and their dependants in times of need. The charity exists to provide care, support and advice to those in our industries who need our help in times of hardship or distress.

BEN has launched the Fleet Disposal Contribution Plan (FDCP), a scheme which sees rental and leasing fleets and major auction houses working together to raise funds for their industry charity.

Vendors will sign up for the scheme through BEN, the participating auction house will collect the money (typically £1 per vehicle sold) and pass it to the charity. A number of key companies have already pledged commitment and are expected to sign up shortly, saying that the plan is simple for all involved, sustainable and has the potential to deliver much needed funds to the charity over a long term.

Charles Davis, BEN’s Director of Fundraising and Communications said:
“This new initiative is a vital one for BEN and we are touched by the fast response of the industry who once again have rallied around their charity. One of BEN’s most successful fundraising schemes is Performance Related Giving whereby a small amount is donated to BEN by the manufacturers for each new car sold. We hope that this new scheme will prove equally successful.”

The UK’s largest auction houses, BCA and Manheim have both pledged their support with Andrew Hulme, BCA’s UK Managing Director stating:
“BCA have been staunch supporters of BEN over many years and this is another way in which the remarketing sector can help to provide increased funding to the industry charity.”

Whilst, Mike Pilkington, Managing Director Manheim Auctions and Remarketing, Manheim Europe commented:
“Manheim Auctions is delighted to be able to support BEN and the motor industry in this initiative which will help to provide a sustainable flow of income to the industry charity.”

David Brennan, Managing Director Leaseplan commented:
“Leaseplan are very pleased to be able to support BEN in this way.  A small contribution for each car sold will, collectively, provide a significant income steam for BEN and enable it to continue caring for our industry colleagues.”

This month will see the launch of the Fleet Disposal Contribution Plan in support of BEN.

BEN will receive an agreed contribution for each former fleet vehicle sold by rental and leasing companies through many of the UK’s auction houses. This new scheme is designed to boost BEN’s income at a time when more people than ever are in need of assistance. Vendors will sign up for the scheme through BEN, the participating auction house will collect the money and pass it to the charity. A number of key companies have already pledged commitment, saying that the plan is simple for all involved, sustainable and has the potential to deliver much needed funds to the charity over a long term.

The UK’s largest auction houses, BCA and Manheim have both pledged their support with Andrew Hulme, BCA’s UK Managing Director stating;

"BCA have been staunch supporters of BEN over many years and this is another way in which the remarketing sector can help to provide increased funding to the industry charity.”

Whilst, Mike Pilkington, Managing Director Manheim Auctions and Remarketing, Manheim Europe commented;

“Manheim Auctions is delighted to be able to support BEN and the motor industry in this initiative which will help to provide a sustainable flow of income to the industry charity.”

David Brennan, Managing Director Leaseplan commented;

“Leaseplan are very pleased to be able to support BEN in this way. A small contribution for each car sold will, collectively, provide a significant income steam for BEN and enable it to continue caring for our industry colleagues.”

BEN is the Automotive Industry Charity, the only occupational charity for those who work or have worked in the automotive and related industries. Founded in 1905, the Charity provides practical help, support, advice and friendship to more than 15,000 men and women and their families every year. In addition BEN provides a home to over 350 individuals who reside in one of its four residential centres in the UK and offers day care facilities at its centre in Coventry.

The 75th BEN Ball was held on 16 December at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

The non-stop entertainment included Rolf Harris and the Band of the Irish Guards and all were well received and enjoyed by a large audience of BEN supporters. Other highlights of the evening included the sumptuous four course meal and an amazing array of prizes in the tombola, table raffles and reverse bingo. BEN supporters donated some incredible lots to be bid for in the silent and main auctions, including a special edition Kevin Schwantz Suzuki GSX-R1000 motorbike, a Fiat 500bydiesel and a Jaguar XJ.

BEN’s Director of Fundraising and Communications, Charles Davis, said;
“We are still working on the final figure but early indications are that this special 75th Anniversary Ball has raised more than last year. Many people have described this as the most enjoyable BEN Ball to date and the best way to start the festive season in style. Against the backdrop of the past tumultuous year, this is an incredible achievement and on behalf of the 15,000 men, women and children BEN supports each year I would like to thank our supporters, staff and volunteers for making this vital fundraising evening such a sparkling success.”

BEN will announce the final total made at this year’s ball shortly.  

As the UK’s automotive industry gears up for this years sparkling BEN Ball, BEN would like to say a huge thank you to all its supporters over the past year.

The UK’s automotive and related industries were hit particularly hard by the recession during 2009 and BEN had to make some very tough decisions as traditional sources of income were endangered. Throughout this the industry has rallied around its charity.  As BEN’s biggest fundraising event, this year’s 75th BEN Ball has received incredible support from the industry and this special occasion looks set to be a triumph.

Charles Davis, BEN’s Director of Fundraising and Communications said;
“We are delighted to be able to end this year on a positive note and kick off the festive season with the jewel in the automotive calendar; the BEN Ball.

“While this has been a trying year, we have come out fighting fit with the standard of care we provide to our industry colleagues in need as high as ever. A huge part of this is due to the support of the UK’s automotive and related industries and their staff who have never faltered in their efforts to raise money and awareness for BEN.

“From everybody here at BEN and the thousands of men, women and children who, thanks to you, get the help and advice they need, we would like to wish you a happy and healthy festive season and a prosperous 2010!”

The surviving cars from this year’s Bangers 4 BEN will be sold in a special auction at BCA Blackbushe on Wednesday 18 November at 1pm.

Bangers 4 BEN was arranged by Car Dealer Magazine to raise funds and awareness for BEN; the UK’s charity for people connected to the automotive and related industries. All the money raised from the special auction will go directly to BEN.

Charles Davis, BEN’s Director of Fundraising and Communications said:
“Bangers 4 BEN Mark II has been great fun for all involved and we predict great things from the auction. In addition to the money raised by the bangers at auction, most teams have also gone out of their way to raise sponsorship so the total will be well above what we were expecting. I would like to pass on our sincere thanks to James at Car Dealer for all his hard work and enthusiasm in making this event such a resounding success.”

BEN’s cards have been specifically designed with those from the automotive and related industries in mind. This year sees BEN celebrate 20 years of bespoke card designs by resident artist Richard Wheatland.

Charles Davis, BEN’s Director of Fundraising and Communications said of the cards;

“Sending a BEN card shows you care about the automotive and related industries and the people who work within it. Money raised from the sale of BEN cards allows us to help colleagues in need, provide professional care in one of our centres and to offer emotional support and friendship to our colleagues who face difficult circumstances. They also look fantastic and are bound to brighten up anyone’s festive season!”

The cards are on sale via the BEN website at www.ben.org.uk and a catalogue can be ordered by calling 01344 294713. 

BEN is the Automotive Industry Charity, the only occupational charity for those who work or have worked in the automotive and related industries. Founded in 1905, the Charity provides practical help, support, advice and friendship to more than 15,000 men and women and their families every year. In addition BEN provides a home to over 350 individuals who reside in one of its four residential centres in the UK and offers day care facilities at its centre in Coventry.