CEO celebrates ‘courageous young people’ as ‘No Show Ball’ raises over £12k
Media release
An online charity auction branded the ‘No Show Ball’, closed live online on Giving Tuesday, 1 December.
This online fundraiser was hosted by Kids Inspire CEO, Sue Bell and Trustee – BBC Essex DJ – Dave Monk and was hosted in place of the annual in person ball, which is credited for raising vital unrestricted funding for Kids Inspire during the festive period.
Sue opened the evening by toasting the “courageous young people” that Kids Inspire work with, as well as paying a special thanks to the clinical team, many of who were working online with children and families as the evening celebrations rolled out.
Together, hosts Dave and Sue spoke about Talk Together – Kids Inspire’s response programme to the impact on youth mental health caused by the pandemic – sharing how the run-up to the national lockdown saw the children’s charity shift services online and prepare a response programme to support the trauma being faced by so many.
Midway, a final countdown to the close of the auction of luxury items – all gifted by generous supporters – was called out before thanks was given from Chair of Trustees, Andy Sleet.
Highlights from the auction included breaks away in holiday homes, sporting memorabilia, high quality art pieces and much more.
Dave said: “Thank you to all our supporters and staff who have donated items to our auction. 100 percent of donations will be going to the charity as all 55 items have been gifted.”
Collectively, the auction and festive raffle raised over £12K in unrestricted funds, all of which will support more children, young people and families through the recovery phase of what has been a difficult year for many.
Sue went on to speak of the trauma faced by a child rejected by her birth parents, Sally does not yet know where she will wake up on Christmas morning. For her the impact of 2020 has been tough, the relationship that she has with her Kids Inspire therapist has been vital to her emotional resilience and weekly face-to-face sessions have been essential to her routine and mental wellbeing.
Finishing the evening, was a pre-recorded video from Kids Inspire Patron and ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’ participant, Ruthie Henshall, closing the live event, Ruthie said: “Kids Inspire does the most incredible work. We need them even more today. The young lives I’ve seen changed by their work and all the children given a chance that they didn’t have before. Please donate now if you can.”
A gift is still very welcome, and donations can be made here.