Retailers celebrate the 60th Retail Trust London Ball to raise money for retailers in need
Eminent retailers at the Retail Trust London Ball raised £1 million last night (28 January) for fellow retailers proving the majority of the retail sector is going strong. The retail networking event of the year is held annually at the Grosvenor House Hotel to raise funds for Retail Trust in order to provide continued care and support for all those involved in the retail sector.
Luminaries including Sir Philip Green, Don McCarthy, Harold Tillman and Marc Bolland made large donations that contributed to the £1 million sum along with a silent auction with exclusive prizes such as a trip to Sandy Lane, Barbados and lunch with Ann Summers Chief Executive Jacqueline Gold. The champagne reception was kindly sponsored by the Trinity Mirror Group.
Celebrities Louise and Jamie Redknapp, Ross Kemp, Caprice, Jeff Banks, Henry Holland and Phil Vickery attended the ball, which was hosted by TV personality Bradley Walsh. Guests focused on celebrating the beginning of what is hoped to be a more successful year for retail following news of Comet, Jessops and HMV going into administration.
Money raised at the Retail Trust London Ball and throughout the year will contribute to Retail Trust, the only charity looking after all three million people working in retail, those retired from the sector, and people looking to get into the trade. Through the free and confidential Helpline 0808 801 0808, services are offered to people in retail and related businesses completely free of charge, including counselling, legal and debt advice, hardship grants and redundancy programme ReWork.
Richard Boland, Retail Trust Chief Executive, says: “The trade’s leaders have tonight shown that the compassion and generosity of our great industry is transcending these very challenging times. The sum of £1 million raised will go a long way to helping the grassroots staff who tirelessly support all the efforts of retailers and the young people desperate to get into work in our shops, distribution centres and other locations. Fundraising has surpassed our expectations for the evening, so a big thank you to everyone who contributed.”
Jessica Paton: 020 8358 7258
Email: jpaton@retailtrust.org.uk
PLEASE CONTACT FOR HIGH RES IMAGES - see gallery at www.retailtrust.org.uk/photos
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Retail Trust (registered charity numbers 1090136 and SC039684) is the only charity that looks after the needs of all 3 million people working in retail and currently provides grants and services of approximately £1.5 million per annum to people who are working in or have worked in the retail industry or associated businesses.
The Retail Trust Helpline is a free and confidential service that provides vital support and a range of services including: free counselling, free legal advice, free debt advice, redundancy support through their ReWork programme, hardship grants, course funding, as well as retirement housing for retired retailers throughout the UK. The Retail Trust Helpline can be accessed online at www.retailtrust.org.uk/help, by calling 0808 801 0808, emailing helpline@retailtrust.org.uk or by texting the word ‘HELPLINE’ to 88010* with any request or query.
ReWork is a Retail Trust service for people who have been made redundant from retail. The programme (worth over £1,000) helps users identify a career path that suits their needs and can help find potential employers. ReWork offers access to a free Guide to Resolving Redundancy and free Personal Career Coaching.
The Retail Employee Assistance Programme (REAP) is the only EAP that is designed specifically for retailers by retailers and is run exclusively for retail and associated businesses. Retail Trust currently has over 120 EAP partners throughout the retail sector and associated businesses and currently looks after over 777,000 staff. www.retailtrust.org.uk/eap
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