Firecracker ball raises over £200k for Barnardo's in Yorkshire

One of the biggest and prestigious charitable events in the region’s calendar returned to Rudding Park Hotel, in Harrogate, on Saturday, 15th October 2022, following a two-year pandemic hiatus, and once again Yorkshire dug deep – with early indications showing £210K was raised for Barnardo’s.

The Firecracker Ball, which is now in its twentieth year supporting Barnardo’s in Yorkshire, took place in a huge themed marquee attached to the hotel, designed and produced by The Angels Events. This year the Atlantis theme saw over 400 guests transported to an undersea world of shipwrecks, treasures, and a host of other underwater wonders.

The glittering black-tie event, which has raised over £3million for Barnardo’s since it became its chosen charity in 2002, this year welcomed as its main supporters, Berry’s Jewellers, House of Taittinger, and JCT600 with their specialist brands, Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Porsche and Rolls Royce cars on display.

Alongside the new sponsors, The Angels Events, Source Marketing Communications, TheBusinessDesk.com, Jon Hammond, Rudding Park, Purple Creative Studio and Made By Team returned to support the event as partners.

Chair of the Firecracker committee, Mark J Nelson, said: “I’d like to personally say a huge thanks for all of the support and generosity of everyone involved in the ball, from those who have helped by donating a prize, buying a ticket or bidding in an auction. Without them we couldn’t help Barnardo’s to change the lives of thousands of children and young people in Yorkshire.”

Mark continued: “Welcoming everyone back after two years away was a fantastic experience. The Firecracker Ball is the highlight of so many people’s social calendars, so it was lovely to see the guests back together and raising funds for such a worthy cause.”

“I’d like to say a special thank you to all of our sponsors, partners and supporters without whom we wouldn’t be able to create the spectacular event and raise as much as we do.”

Highlights of the evening included moving speeches from representatives of Barnardo’s; an auction of ‘money can’t buy’ prizes, including lots donated by Sir Richard Branson and the Taittinger family, and a live performance from band Wet Wet Wet.

The money raised from the night will fully fund the building of a home for a young person leaving care, with the rest of the money supporting work with young carers across the region. Barnardo’s in Yorkshire each year help almost 14,000 children, young people and their families in over 80 specialised projects in local communities.

Kirsty Guy, senior relationship manager at Barnardo’s, said: “The funds raised are helping to make sure Barnardo’s services across Yorkshire can continue to offer services that are in strong demand by the local community, this year focusing on support for the young carers and young people leaving care.

Kirsty continued: “The more money we can raise, the more we can help the most vulnerable children overcome their problems and transform their lives. We are naturally over the moon with the amazing amount of money that has been raised.”

Lynn Perry, CEO at Barnardo’s said: “On behalf of the children and young people supported by Barnardo’s, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in this year’s incredible Firecracker Ball. The generosity of those in attendance was staggering and heart-warming.

“We are always in awe of the unrelenting enthusiasm and hard work that goes into developing the Firecracker Ball, year after year. 2022 was no exception – the evening was quite simply spectacular.”

If you would like to find out more about the event, please visit https://www.thefirecrackerball.co.uk. The Firecracker Ball 2023 will take place on Saturday, 11th November 2023