THE Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare welcomed 650 special guests to the ninth Axentis Michael Charitable Trust fundraising Memorial Ball, which raised £404,000.This year’s event was attended by business people from across the UK and beyond, as well as family, friends, and supporters.
Major beneficiaries include Weston Hospicecare, Weston Hospital Children’s Ward, and multiple local families and children with life-restricting conditions who have needed treatment not covered by the NHS.
Originally set to be a one-time event to remember and honour the life of former Weston hotelier, Axentis Michael who passed away in 2003, the first ball took place back in 2006 and raised an impressive £150,000.
Since its inception, the event has continued to grow in popularity and has now become a bi-annual highlight in the social calendar, with each event raising more funds than the last.
Following a five-year break, this year’s event was the first Memorial Ball to have taken place since 2018, as previously planned events were unfortunately cancelled due to heavy snowfall and the pandemic.
Retail entrepreneur and star of BBC2’s Dragons’ Den Theo Paphitis was one of the many celebrities who attended and supported the event with generous prize donations.
Other celebrity attendees included BBC presenter Jon Kay, British athlete and double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell OBE, television presenter and property expert Martin Roberts, and renowned British clothes designer Jeff Banks.A series of auctions, games, and raffles took place on the night with an endless array of ‘money-can’t-buy’ experiences up for grabs.
Throughout the evening, guests had the opportunity to win or bid for prizes such as the opportunity to play at the ultra-exclusive Beaverbrook Golf Club, a private box for 20 guests at the O2 Arena, a 1-carat natural diamond (worth £7,000), and a seven-night luxury break in the Maldives.
Kerry Michael, Trustee and owner of the Grand Pier said: “This year’s event saw the return of the Memorial Ball after a five-year break – and what a spectacular return it was.”
“To have raised over £400,000 in just five hours is such an incredible achievement which simply wouldn’t have been possible without the overwhelming goodwill and generosity of businesses, friends, supporters and volunteers from near and far.”
Kerry added: “It is a huge privilege to be able to provide financial support and fund life-changing projects that can make such a significant difference to the quality of life for those in our community.
“The record amount raised at this year’s Memorial Ball means that we can support so many more deserving people in the months and years to come.”
On behalf of myself, the trustees, and our family, I’d like to thank everyone for their unwavering support; it is truly appreciated and really is helping to transform lives.”
To date, the Axentis Michael Charitable Trust, now one of the town’s largest charitable concerns, has raised and distributed over £2 million to worthy causes within the local community.
The Axentis Michael Charitable Trust also supports and donates funds to local groups, charities, and organisations that work to support the local community.
The success of every Memorial Ball is thanks to the work of the Trustees and the Michael family, along with hundreds of volunteers who donate their time without charge, plus the amazing generosity from the businesses, friends, and supporters who provided the venue, food, drink, auction, and raffle prizes to ensure that every penny pledged goes directly to helping those most in need within our local community.
