It’s the highlight of the industry social calendar and last week’s Bacta Summer Ball didn’t disappoint. A sell-out event drawing in 130 of the industry’s great and the good to the Coombe Abbey Hotel in the beautiful setting of the Warwickshire countryside.
And of course, against this backdrop of the bonhomie of the annual celebratory occasion, it was, to misquote the great Bill Clinton, all about the charity, stupid.
And there was much to celebrate for the Bacta Charitable Trust’s two nominated charities: Little Lifts and Rays of Sunshine.
As the man organising the Summer Ball – his third to be precise – Steve Hawkins proudly declared: “This year’s event raised an outstanding £23,000 for the Bacta Charitable Trust.”
In those three years, Hawkins has seen how much this event means to the two charities. He told Coinslot: “This effort is in line with previous years and reflects the ongoing generosity of the industry. The Ball continues to be a vital source of funding, with each edition making a meaningful contribution to Bacta’s chosen causes.”
Meaningful, though, doesn’t do justice to the endeavours of the charities, as Hawkins explained: “These organisations do vital work, from granting wishes to seriously ill children to supporting women undergoing breast cancer treatment. Every penny raised goes toward helping these causes deliver hope and comfort to those who need it most.”
So how does £23,000 get raised in little more than five hours?
“A lot of hard work and even more generosity,” Hawkins replied. “This was the event’s first outing at Coombe Abbey Hotel and it was very well received. The historic setting added a touch of grandeur to the occasion, with many guests praising the venue for its unique atmosphere and beautiful surroundings. It certainly provided a fitting backdrop for such an important event in the industry calendar.”
It was widely acknowledged that Coombe Abbey certainly raised the bar on previous settings, and the mood too. The Summer Ball has always been a crowd puller; the industry understands the all-important balance of a good time – and more importantly good fundraising.
And it all started with the woman who started it all over three decades ago. Sonia Meaden OBE, amusements industry royalty, delivered the welcome speech this year and it set the perfect tone for the night.
The founder of the Bacta Charitable Trust, she gave what many described as a heartfelt speech, underlining the enduring impact of the charity’s work and the legacy of those who helped shape it.
It was one of the highlights of the evening, noted Steve Hawkins who was quick to thank Sonia Meaden for such an inspiring opening salvo.
But there was work to be done during dinner and before the arrival of the acclaimed band Sway who were the entertainment for the evening.
It was fundraising time – and now the story behind the £23,000 tally.
The main highlight was a high-energy “True or False” game hosted by the irrepressible – and probably irredeemable – Bradley Royce of Boomerang Digital.
After some intense rounds of truth or falsehoods – and patting of the heads and the backsides around the hall – Vanessa Miller of Funstation UK was crowned the 2025 True or False Champion.
In the true spirit of the occasion, Vanessa gave her prize back to charity to add to the fundometer.
There was a silent auction and, of course, serious support from the Bacta Ball sponsors: Reflex Gaming (band and gold sponsor), Whitehouse Leisure (pre-drinks); gold sponsors – Ask Global, Blueprint, EAG, Merkur Casino, Sims Automatics, SX Leisure and Swan Events; and silver sponsors – David Cain, E-Service, Harry Levy, Innov8 Gaming, Inspired, Rudd Group and The Amusement Network.
An impressive list for which Steve Hawkins was quick to extend his gratitude for their support. “As, Chairman of the Bacta Charitable Trust, I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone who made the event possible. Special thanks and my sincere appreciation to the sponsors whose generosity played a crucial role in the evening’s success.”
And he added: “Then there were the people that helped throughout the build-up to this great event – we are indebted for all your work. As always, a special shout out to Karen Cooke and Steph Norbury for their support in organising the evening.”
With the dancing over, and of course the after party occupation of the Coombe Abbey Hotel Bar, there was still some time for Hawkins to reflect on the 2025 Summer Ball – and the future.
“We welcomed 130 guests this year and continued to attract the strong turnout from previous years and we also marked another successful gathering of industry colleagues in support of charitable causes,” he reflected – and with some optimism for growth.
“Coombe Abbey offers ample space and flexibility, meaning there’s definite potential for the event to grow in scale should the demand be there. The positive response from guests this year has opened up exciting possibilities for future editions. We have room for another 50 guests and it would be great to get more seaside operators there as they are well known for their fun and generosity.”
And it didn’t take long for Hawkins to turn his attention to 2026. “Planning for next year’s Bacta Ball will begin in due course, with the team already considering ways to evolve and enhance the event. The success of this year’s venue provides a strong platform, and the Trust is keen to build on the momentum to ensure the Ball continues to grow both in impact and attendance.”
The new bar has been set at £23,000. Now beat that.
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