The PFC Trust smashes £500,000 milestone at star-studded Green & Blue Ball

The founder of a Hartlepool-based charity has expressed her immense pride after the team’s flagship fundraising event pushed its historic total past the half-a-million-pound mark. The PFC Trust’s fifth annual Green & Blue Ball took place last weekend, raising an astonishing £122,000 on the night alone. The record-breaking figure means the charity, which aims to change people’s lives for the better across the region, has now raised well over £500,000 across the five nights held since its inception.

To accommodate its growing scale, the glitzy event was moved to a new stage at Teesside University’s Digital Life Centre, following four consecutive sell-out years at Hartlepool College of Further Education.

More than 300 guests were entertained during the spectacular evening, which also marked the charity's seventh birthday.

The guest list featured a host of star names, including long-time Trust supporter and England and Liverpool legend John Barnes. He was joined by Strictly Come Dancing professionals Lewis Cope and Katya Jones.

Pictures taken by Carn Patrick include Frances Connolly on stage with John Barnes, Lewis Cope and Katya Jones. 

The dancing duo contributed significantly to the night's fundraising success when two private dance classes they offered in the charity auction fetched an incredible £7,000 in donations.

Following the success of the night, PFC Trust founder Frances Connolly said: “I am bursting with pride at what we have achieved together and completely blown away by the generosity of our supporters.

“To cross the half-a-million-pound mark across our five balls is a testament to the incredible spirit of this community. I want to say a huge thank you to our operations manager, Kelly Brooks, and the entire team for pulling off such a fantastic event.

“Their tireless dedication and hard work from the team and our sponsors and supporters have ensured that we can continue to change people's lives for the better.

"I'd also like to say just how incredibly grateful I am for the dedication and tireless support of our 50 volunteers, many of whom showed up for the fifth consecutive year to help with the set up, clean up and on the night itself - they are such a huge part of the PFC Trust family."

And in a message sent to attendees by The PFC Trust following the event, the charity shared its gratitude, while noting that the £122,000 raised – and still counting - will make a real difference to countless people across the community.

Platinum sponsors Plastic Processing along with RBC Brewin Dolphin, JDM Earth, Alive Adventures, Hartlepool Life CIC, Steel Benders, Artistic Solutions, Koselig Bakeri, Lyla's Coffee Shop & Kitchen, Ad Gefrin, Footprints Nursery, Inn Hospitality Group, Oysters Resturant, Hartlepower CIC, Salford Van Hire all sponsored the event, with various other businesses and individuals supporting too.

Kelly said: “It was an absolutely phenomenal evening and a true milestone for The PFC Trust. Moving to a new, larger venue at Teesside University was a massive undertaking for the whole team, but seeing 300 guests come together to raise over £122,000 made every ounce of hard work worthwhile.

“To cross the half-a-million-pound mark across our five balls is just staggering. While we learned a lot from hosting in a new space and will be smoothing out those few minor teething issues for next year, the generosity and energy in the room was fantastic.

“I couldn't be prouder of the team and what we've achieved together for the people of this region.”