From Supercars to Annual Balls Events are Back for Alex’s Wish!
Leicestershire-based charity, Alex’s Wish, have been speaking about their planned events now that lockdown has been lifted across the UK.
Emma Hallam, Founder and CEO of Alex’s Wish said, “COVID-19 and the lockdowns have been hugely challenging for us all. As a charity who fundraised primarily via face-to-face events it meant we had to rethink how we could continue fundraising having cancelled all our events. We pivoted to online fundraising events and, with the help of our fabulous supporters, we managed to continue fundraising and, of vital importance, invest those funds into urgently required clinical research, clinical trials and increasing clinical trial capacity with a view to delaying symptoms of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by several years effectively buying time for us to find that vital cure.
“I know, first-hand, that Duchenne never rests and neither could we but I’ll be honest, when we could kick our face-to-face events off again I was delighted! Our first event was also our very first ever Supercar event which took place over the Summer in the beautiful grounds of Whatton House. They very kindly provided the venue free of charge and we were so lucky with the weather with the sun shining all day! The event raised an amazing £2,500 with Ryan from Supercars of Birmingham organising all the stunning supercars on the day and our wonderful ambassadors Natalie and Stuart Allen from NS Property who came along and helped throughout the day.
“Julie Proctor, Business Development Manager at Whatton House co-ordinated the entire event from a venue point of view, Alex Benyon Photography really captured the event for us whilst Corporate Motion Film Production shot video of the day too helping us to remember what a fantastic event it was. I was particularly touched by a comment from Hannah Houghton who attended with her family.”
Hannah said, “We came on Sunday for the supercar show and it was absolutely amazing!! My son Archie said it was the best day of he’s life!! He didn’t want to come home. It was amazing and we want to thank you guys so so much as you really did make his dreams come true for the day!!”
Added Ryan from Supercars of Birmingham, “We love working with charities and when Alex’s Wish approached us to host their first supercar charity event we couldn’t say no! We got straight to work and gathered all our members together. We had people travelling from London just for the day! We met up at a local point in Birmingham and set off on our way up to Whatton House. The setting was fantastic and it turned out to be the hottest day of the year! When we pulled up to the grounds the crowds were filling up and the view from the house down the drive, watching £4 million pounds worth of cars driving up the winding road and parking up outside was amazing. We all had a great day! Thank you to everyone for donating and to our sponsors Onyx Automotive, Martini Tyres and Ayaan Motors.”
Julie Proctor, Business Development Manager, Whatton House added, “We were delighted to host Alex’s Wish here at Whatton House. It was such a great day supporting what is a truly fantastic charity. I’m delighted to say that due to the event’s success Whatton House will be welcoming Alex’s Wish back next year and this event is to become an annual one. I’m looking forward to it already especially if we’re blessed with the same fabulous weather again!”
Emma and Alex’s Wish are now working on a number of other events including a Loop the Loop Challenge, their annual Golf Day, their Supporters’ Thank You Lunch and their Annual Alex’s Wish Ball which, after going virtual in 2020, is back with a bang for 2021!
Adds Emma, “Our Ball this year takes place on the 20th of November at The Hilton Hotel, East Midlands Airport which is appropriate given that our theme is ‘Travels around the World’. Instead of a classic black tie ball we’re mixing it up this year and doing something very different. Think holiday glamour rather than black tie coupled with interactive games, the opportunity to win a holiday and the entire event picking up themes and colours from Mexico, Thailand and Italy! We have SuperBad performing and are really looking forward to getting people back together again and inspiring them for 2022! Tickets cost £85 per ticket which includes a COVID guarantee – just in case!
“I genuinely can’t wait to welcome guests to our ball. It’s going to be another fantastic event and with half the tickets already booked anyone interested in joining us to book soon!”
To find out more about Alex’s Wish, their events and the ‘Travels around the World’ ball please visit: www.alexswish.co.uk
