Trust has a ball as charity event raises £26k

A ball held in the grounds of the headquarters of Clowes Developments’ has raised tens of thousands of pounds for Derby County Community Trust.

Earlier this month, more than 200 guests from a range of businesses and sectors, including Marketing Derby, attended the Black and White Ball at Ednaston Park, which aimed to raise money for the charitable arm of Derby County.

The evening saw guests learn about various programmes that the trust offers, from the Rams Family Fund which was kickstarted by fans in early 2022 to current participants’ efforts to better their mental and physical health.

Ex-Derby County captains Michael Johnson and Shaun Barker joined the occasion to speak about their personal involvement with the charity’s projects.

On the night, Michael’s sister spoke about overcoming her alcoholism, where an intervention from the trust “saved her life”, while Shaun spoke about his involvement with the Pride Park Sensory Room, for which he funded the equipment, inspired by his own family’s want to support others.

Head coach Paul Warne and assistant head coach Richie Barker also gave an update on pre-season, along with expressing their support for the trust’s work.

Cash was raised through a number of games and raffles, with prizes donated by local businesses.

An auction, led by local auctioneer Charles Hanson, also raised more than £15,000 towards the grand total of £26,000.

Among the Marketing Derby Bondholders to donate prizes included Derby County, HUUB Design and Butler’s Pantry.

Simon Carnall, head of community at Derby County Community Trust, said: “We were totally blown away with the success of the evening.

“We know we work alongside some incredible businesses locally, and the standard of the prizes donated already demonstrated that, but the turnout and generosity shown on the evening outweighed our highest expectations.

“We would just like to reiterate our huge thanks to Clowes Developments, who not only lent us their home for the evening at Ednaston Park, but have worked tirelessly with our staff over the last few months to deliver what was a stunning event.”

Due to its success, the Black and White Ball will now become an annual fixture in the charity’s fund-raising calendar.