Stepping Forward once again coordinated the annual Winter Ball at The Hilton on Saturday 10 November 2018 and beat the event’s fundraising record! This year this unique fundraising and networking ball for organisations working on disability issues in Reading involved a total of seven local charities: Autism Berkshire, Reading Mencap, Parenting Special Children, Green Health Thames Valley, The Engine Shed and the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre and Stepping Forward – and raised over £14,000 for the sector. We welcomed 276 guests, all of whom had bought tickets direct from the local charity that they chose to support.
Guests enjoyed a welcome glass of bubbly, three course meal and entertainment provided by covers band Love2Groove. An auction on the night raised further funds, alongside a raffle with £1,000 of John Lewis vouchers as the main prize.
The Winter Ball event came about because individually most local disability charities do not have the capacity to put on a large scale event such as a Ball. By coming together, with the generous support this year of the companies and Foundations listed below, we are able to hold an enjoyable event that raises substantial funds for organisations that are experiencing a severe shortage of resources.
The winning raffle tickets were: Numbers 6413, 9499 and 9409.