A special fundraising ball will mark the start of fifth anniversary celebrations for a Hartlepool-based charity making a massive difference to people across the North-East.
The PFC Trust’s annual Green and Blue Ball on Saturday, April 13 will have several surprise guests when hundreds gather to hopefully raise more than £100,000 for the third year in a row.
Tanni Grey-Thompson at last year's Ball. Picture: Chris Booth
There will also be appearances at Hartlepool College of Further Education from former Liverpool and England star John Barnes, Hartlepool’s boxing sensation Savannah Marshall and one of Britain’s greatest Paralympians, Tanni-Grey Thompson. An auction with incredible items has been launched in the build-up to the black-tie event and there are opportunities to take part in a prize draw to win a Rolex watch, Mulberry handbag and hotel stay package. Prize draw tickets are priced £20 each or six for £100 and are already on sale with the draw taking place on the night.
Every penny raised goes back into the community. The PFC Trust and its founders have already given more than £500,000 to good causes, community groups and businesses each year since it was founded in 2019.The PFC Trust’s founder Frances Connolly, who set up the charity along with her husband Patrick, said: “When we first set the charity up I thought it would be just about me pledging money to help but it has grown exponentially.
“The needs in the area, particularly since Covid, are such that no single individual could afford to address those completely. The PFC Trust Ball is an opportunity for like minded people to support the local area.“ I am proud we hold our grand annual Ball in the Hartlepool College foyer, and we somehow manage, in one of the most deprived towns in the country, with high unemployment, to raise as much money as some of the more well-established charities.
John Barnes at last year's Ball. Picture: Chris Booth
“North-East people like to help and that’s why this works. We raise money because of everyone involved, even the staff on the night are volunteers and the bar donates. Every penny raised, though, goes back into helping others.” The sell-out event urges those in attendance to wear a splash of green and blue and is being supported by John Barnes, Plastic Furniture Company, Brewin Dolphin, Lyla Belle and Koselig Bakeri, B2B Mould injectors, Steel Benders, Inn Hospitality Group, Fairfield Property Investment, Blind Tiger Events,Build Directory, Hope Performance, Academy Landscapes, Boodles, Aston Martin, Footprints Nursery, Racz Group and Active FP.
There are still further opportunities for sponsorships available.
Frances said: “Every £20 pound raised can save a life, never mind change a life. It can buy a sleeping bag for someone on the streets – that’s why it’s so important to get involved, even if it is just to buy one prize draw ticket or purchase a generous auction prize.
“What we are achieving can only be achieved by the whole community supporting us.
“It’s lovely to get big donors but every penny spared helps too. If you can’t give money, donate your time or unwanted gifts for prizes. Even if we don’t use them at the Ball we will use them to help others.”
*Prize draw tickets are now on sale and available at https://app.galabid.com/pfcprizedraw2024
* To bid on an auction item click here https://app.galabid.com/greenandblueball24
*If you would like to obtain more information on sponsorship, or donate to the PFC Trust, then contact events@thepfctrust.org and check out www.thepfctrust.org