Zoe’s Place Business Group Ball Raises £52,000 For Coventry Baby Hospice
A winter ball hosted by the Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice Business Group has helped swell the hospice’s coffers by more than £52,000.
It was the sixth annual ball organised by members of the business group. Between them the group events, which also include annual golf days, have so far raised over £400,000 for the Coventry hospice which provides respite, palliative and end-of-life care for babies and children aged 0 to 5.
The Group now has its sights set on hitting £500k as a new fundraising target for 2023.
The ball, held at Coombe Abbey, included dancing and live music from West Midlands band Tru Groove and a whole host of fundraising activities including a live auction, silent auction, heads and tails, ring-in-a-box and a raffle.
Nuneaton singer Jordan Williams, a former X Factor boot camp contestant and former Mr England, was the compere for the evening. He also treated the guests to a live musical performance.
Guests at the event included Masterchef star Gregg Wallace.
A keen supporter of Zoe’s Place Gregg took part in a Q&A session with guests and helped to deliver a live auction to help boost vital funds.
Together with a silent auction, the live auction raised £16,000.
Prizes on the night included private dining with Michelin starred chef Marcus Wareing, which alone raised more than £4,000.
A game of heads and tails and sales of a ring in a box raised a further £2,000 each, while Gregg Wallace boosted proceeds by a further £400 by posing for selfies with fans.
Parents Tom and Lois shared the story of their 2½-year-old daughter Elsa who has benefited from the hospice service for over a year.
Suffering her first seizure at 4½ months old, Elsa was diagnosed with epilepsy and went on to suffer 50 seizures a day.
At nine months genetic testing showed Elsa had an extremely rare mutation and her parents were told she would be severely disabled, both mentally and physically, and was unlikely to live beyond the age of 18.
She was also diagnosed with global developmental delay and is unable to hold her body up, nor her head, and relies on a feeding tube.
During her visits to Zoe’s Place Elsa takes part in music, animal and rebound therapies, and enjoys facilities such as the sensory room and garden, and activities including arts and crafts and music.
Lois said: “Zoe’s Place is a home away from home and we are forever grateful for their help. It is a real lifeline to so many and a truly remarkable place. We can’t thank Zoe’s Place and their supporters enough for all they do for our precious Elsa.”
Peter Jarvis, Chairman of the Business Group and National Patron of the Zoe’s Place charity, which also operates hospices in Middlesbrough and Liverpool, said he was delighted with the success of the event and members had now set their sights on hitting the half-million pound target.
He said: “Babies and children like Elsa are the exact reason our Business Group exists and we were delighted with the success of our sixth annual ball.
“To have raised this amount of money in such difficult times is an incredible result and is a real testament to our many generous supporters on the night.”
“Our next big milestone target is on the horizon and Business Group members are pulling out all the stops to reach that goal.”
He added: “Our members are incredibly proud to be associated with Zoe’s Place. It is a fantastic charity which year after year has helped so many families not just in Coventry, Middlesbrough and Liverpool but throughout the country, giving some of our most vulnerable children the invaluable support they and their families need.”
Earlier this year the Business Group raised £12,000 through its annual golf day.
Hosted by Coventry Golf Club it was the third event of its kind in aid of the hospice. Between them the three events have raised a total £30,000.
