Cambridge BID’s 2019 Sparkle & Shine Ball has raised over £5,000 for children and young people’s charity, Break.
The annual event, now in its 12th year, provides an opportunity for city businesses to network and celebrate the start of the busy festive season. More than 120 local businessmen and women attended this year’s event, held on Thursday [28 November] in the elegant surroundings of the Doubletree Hilton Cambridge City Centre.
Attendees enjoyed a drinks reception, followed by a three-course dinner, disco, casino and other fund-raising activities. A special Cambridge BID Christmas tree, laden with baubles to purchase for £10 and £20 - and guaranteeing a prize with every bauble - helped to boost the amount raised on the night.
Ian Sandison, CEO of Cambridge BID, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Break through our annual ball and as our chosen charity for 2019-2020. The charity does invaluable work in supporting vulnerable children and young people, in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. We know them well, through our collaboration on the Cows about Cambridge project that we’ll be bringing to the city in March.”
“We’re grateful to everyone who donated money this evening, and to all the BID businesses who donated gifts to help make the fundraising successful.”
Rachel Cowdry, Break CEO, said: “Break is committed to providing a brighter future for the children and young people who need us, for as long as they need us. In Cambridgeshire we are working with vulnerable young people leaving care to provide stable and comfortable homes and a network of support to enable them to build a bright future, as part of our Staying Close Staying Connected project. To date, 15 houses have been established in the area and 27 care leavers have already moved in, and we plan to work with many more as this project grows. Whatever a young person’s start in life, we believe that with the right care there is no limit to what they can achieve.”
“We are hugely grateful to Cambridge BID for supporting Break this year as part of the Sparkle & Shine Ball and highlighting our truly vital work in the region and helping to raise funds to support this on-going work.”
Over the last 11 years, the Sparkle & Shine Ball has raised close to £58,000 for charitable causes including The Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, Magpas Air Ambulance, Alzheimer’s Research, Teenage Cancer Trust (the Addenbrookes Ward), Cambridgeshire children’s charity Blue Smile, EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices), Royal Anglian Regiment, Contact The Elderly, Jimmy’s Night Shelter, Whizz-Kidz (the provider of wheelchairs and mobility equipment for disabled children) and local homeless initiative Street Aid.
