A commitment to raising money for deserving causes sits at the core of the industry and for many years the focus for this has been the unbelievable work undertaken by the Bacta Charitable Trust. The success of the Trust is due in no small part to the passion and energy shown by its Chair starting with the indomitable Sonia Meaden OBE. EAG Expo will see a changing of the guard with former President John Bollom taking over the reins from Steve Hawkins whose tenure has been one of the most successful on record.
Industry stalwart John Bollom, who completed a notable two-year stint as Bacta President in July, has been named Chairman of the Bacta Charitable Trust (BCT). John succeeds Steve Hawkins who has served the BCT since the passing of the late, great Jimmy Thomas. During Steve’s tenure the Trust raised tens of thousands of pounds for good causes.
Reflecting on Steve Hawkins’ contribution to the BCT John Bollom said: “I would like to place on the record Bacta’s sincere thanks to Steve for the energy and commitment he has brought to his period as Chairman. As anyone who has seen him in action at events such as the Bacta Summer Ball will testify he has a unique and compelling way of generating funds and has established wonderful connections and relationships with our supported charities not least with Rays of Sunshine to which Bacta and its members have donated not far short of £900,000. I am delighted that Steve will continue to organise the Bacta Golf Day an event which represents a ‘must attend’ for the many industry golfers.”
He Continued: “The Bacta Charitable Trust was established in 1991 under the leadership of Sonia Meaden OBE. It had two core objectives which were to firstly raise money for charitable organisations and as an outcome of those activities and where appropriate to engage with stakeholders including policy makers and politicians.
The first charity to be adopted by the BCT was the Prince’s Trust – now the Kings Trust – which helps young people from disadvantaged communities to secure employment or launch a business. In the three decades that it has been in existence the Trust has partnered a wide range of good causes including Macmillan Cancer Support, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, British Institute for Brain Injured Children and the RNID as well as supporting the endeavours of individual members and their frequently very personal projects and the good causes that are close to their heart.
Looking ahead to his period helping to guide the work of the Trust, John Bollom said: “The industry has a formidable track record for supporting charities of all sizes. The charity sector has been hard hit by the cost-of-living crisis and it’s more important than ever that we continue to generate the funds which enable organisations such as Rays-of-Sunshine and Little Lifts to continue their invaluable work.
“EAG provides a fantastic opportunity to meet with the many BCT supporters, to thank them for their continued contributions – even when trading conditions are difficult – and to explain my vision for the future. One of my first jobs as Chairman will be alongside Whitehouse Leisure Managing Director Phil Setter who will be presenting a cheque for £43,000 to Rays-of-Sunshine. This is the result of 50p donations from every sale of the Capybara soft toy. The Capybara initiative has really captured the imagination and is a case-study of what can be achieved by harnessing the fun nature of our industry to achieve such a positive social impact.”
The Whitehouse Leisure presentation is taking place at 11am, Wednesday 14 January, Whitehouse stand C40/50.
Keeping the record up
John Bollom said……. “The industry has a formidable track record for supporting charities of all sizes. The charity sector has been hard hit by the cost-of-living crisis and it’s more important than ever that we continue to generate the funds which enable organisations such as Rays-of-Sunshine and Little Lifts to continue their invaluable work…
