More than 600 people attended Charlie House’s magical Big Build Ball on Saturday, November 19, at P&J Live, raising over £190,000 for its appeal to build a dedicated support centre in the North-east.
The total funds include a £40,000 donation from long-term supporter Apache, as well as a £10,000 contribution from Dignity Funerals, both of which were made on the night.
Principally sponsored by Brimmond, the glamorous event was hosted by Alex Fleming and featured music from highly renowned party band MADHEN.
The night also included a speech from local family, Lynne and Alistair Moore, who discussed how Charlie House’s services have helped them and their daughter.
This compelling experience alongside presentations from Charlie House representatives, took guests on a journey of discovery to envision how a purpose-built facility in the North-east can support children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions as well as their loved ones.
With a theme of mystical magic running throughout, the night was full of energy and saw seasoned entertaining groups, Mark Cameron Dance and Chris De Rosa’s Art of Illusion wow attendees with incredible performances.
The black-tie evening also featured a drinks reception, delicious three course meal, raffle and access to an exclusive silent auction which offered a range of art pieces and more. The night’s live auction saw a variety of amazing prizes such as a Sizzle and Sing Brunch with the Kilted Chef, a Rolex, and a bespoke highland cow sculpture named Charlie Coo being won.
Chair and founder of Charlie House, Tracy Johnstone said: “I am so incredibly thankful to everyone who attended the Big Build Ball 2022.
“This incredible evening allowed us to reconnect with members of the community and catch up with new and long-term supporters. This event is hosted annually, and it’s not just about raising awareness for our cause, it’s about saying thank you to the generous contributions we receive each year and letting our guests step into a magical world and enjoy a fabulous evening.
“I want to say a huge thank you to our sponsors, without them an event of this calibre would simply not be possible. I also want to thank Lynne and Alistair Moore for sharing their experience. Charlie House strives to make a difference for families and we are here for those who need our support.”
Tom Murdoch, managing director at Brimmond said: "We’re so proud to not only sponsor this brilliant event, but to be a long-term supporter of Charlie House.”
“In 2019, there was a unanimous staff vote to partner with the charity for the year ahead…three years later, team Brimmond continues to support the campaign to build a dedicated facility for families locally and across the North-east.
“It was clear the values of Charlie House and Brimmond aligned, and it was a cause that the team felt passionate about getting behind. No family should have to travel more than 100 miles to get the support they need. We are honoured to be in a position to be able to play a very small part in making a big change."
The full list of sponsors for the event included:
- Title sponsor - Brimmond
- Gold sponsor - John Mutch
- Silver sponsor - Premier Coaches
- Bronze sponsors - Bounty Competitions and Space Solutions
- Entertainment sponsor - Bilfinger
- Drinks reception sponsor - Cala Homes
- Silent auction sponsor - Maritime Developments Limited (MDL)
- Table centre sponsor - Albyn Garage
- Tombola sponsor - Dignity Funerals
The generous contributions of guests, sponsors and supporters have significantly increased the Big Build Appeal’s current total. With a target of £8m to reach, the charity also recently launched its Buy a Brick campaign, an initiative with various fundraising streams to make contributions feel more achievable.
As part of the new campaign, Charlie House is looking for 4,000 virtual bricks to help raise funds for the facility. Each brick costs £250, which can be donated through a one off payment, a monthly payment plan or through fundraising with family, friends and work teams.
To find out more about the Buy a Brick campaign, visit Charlie House’s Big Build website
