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Automotive charity Ben’s 10-day virtual active challenge, Breakout for Ben, has raised £159,000 to address its £1m fundraising shortfall.
Ben invited the automotive industry to Breakout for Ben in February and a total of 986 people took part, walking, running, cycling and exercising for the charity.
Teams embarked on a virtual journey visiting motor circuits across the UK, starting at Pembrey Circuit in north Wales and taking in all four home nations, before ending at Silverstone.
With the Breakout total included, just under £737,000 has now been raised for the charity.
All funds raised will help Ben support automotive industry people with their mental health, physical health and wellbeing.
Stuart Foulds, chairman and CEO of TrustFord, said: “With all the support Ben has continued to provide and knowing that the charity needed more support, I was very happy to lend TrustFord’s ‘Breakout For Ben’ event to a broader audience of participants in 2021.
“I am thrilled that TrustFord colleagues raised £55,000 on top of the £20,000 donated by the business late last year and am hugely proud of the TrustFord team for all their support and engagement. This means that over the past 3 years our Group has contributed over £300,000 to this great charity.’’
Matt Wigginton, fundraising director at Ben, said: “Breakout for Ben has been incredible! We’ve been completely blown away by everyone’s determination, both individually and collectively in teams. Congratulations to all our competition winners and a massive thank you to everyone who took part and donated!
Breakout for Ben competition winners
- Furthest in the first 24 hours: Mann Island Finance, 2Fit2Quit – 802.2 miles
- Furthest individual on bike: Chris Minter, Kent go any Further – 1,042 miles
- Furthest individual running: Richard Brown, Life in the Quick Lane – 200.9 miles
- Furthest individual walking: Alexandra Horne, Paco’s Pack – 232.5 miles
- Best team name: Cirque Du Sore Legs, Aston Barclay
- Best social media post: The Chequered Flaggers
- Best fancy dress: Toby, Chris and Ben, Chandlers Hailsham BMW Mini @Group 1
- Largest corporate participation: TrustFord – 277 participants
- First team to complete the challenge: Mann Island Finance, 2Fit2Quit – completed in 4.5 days
- Most raised by an individual (so far!): Richard Morgan, Legs Miserable – £4,825!
- Most raised by a team: Bridgland too far @Group 1 – £11,600!