The Benevolent Society Celebrates 100 Years of Charitable Giving with £28k Raised at Christmas Ball

The Benevolent Society, the charitable arm of the British Allied Trades Federation (BATF), toasted its milestone year on Thursday, December 5, at The Grand Hotel Birmingham.

The Benevolent Society hosted its 90th annual Christmas Ball on Thursday, December 5, welcoming more than 200 people to The Grand Hotel Birmingham for an evening of festive entertainment, a charity auction, and a three-course Christmas dinner.

Coinciding with the 100th anniversary of The Benevolent Society in 2024, the event put a spotlight on all those the Society has helped over the last century, including individuals experiencing ill-health and financial hardship and adult learners looking to enhance their skills and expertise.

In her speech, The Benevolent Society Chair Gay Penfold noted that in the first year of the Society’s existence (1924), there was “no welfare state, no pensions and certainly no works pensions, no social security and no NHS”. As a result, The Benevolent Society has played an important role in helping people navigate difficult times, both in the past and through our current cost of living crisis.

Penfold adds: “Many who apply to us are struggling to make ends meet either in their retirement or because of ill health. We currently have 42 beneficiaries who receive monthly support for their essential living costs. In addition, they will each receive an extra £300 throughout the coldest months of the year to help with increased utility costs.”

During the Christmas Ball, special prizes, including a spitfire flight across the English countryside, a commemorative bowl crafted by renowned silversmith Andrew McGowan, and a pair of Liberty luxury advent calendars were auctioned by Cooksongold Sales Director Stuart Wibberley, raising more than £10,000 for the Society’s activities in 2025. The Assay Office Birmingham also presented a cheque for £1,200 as part of its ongoing commitment to The Benevolent Society. In total, more than £28,000 was raised, which will contribute towards the charity’s activities in 2025.

Elsewhere, The Benevolent Society revealed the results of its inaugural Silver Design Competition in collaboration with the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) Education Trust. The winner – Alewijn Slingerland – was presented with £500 for his silver water jug concept, which he will now make with industry support. Helenka Boden was highly commended by the judges.

Penfold continues: “With the support of our headline sponsor, the British Allied Trades Federation (BATF), this year’s special anniversary Benevolent Ball was a huge success and a real testament to the camaraderie and generosity of our united industries. I would especially like to thank BATF President and The Benevolent Society Vice Chair Gary Wroe, former NAJ President David Doyle, and Cookson-gold’s Stuart Wibberley for their great participation on the night.”

The last 12 months have been busy for The Benevolent Society, including a total brand overhaul, a 100th anniversary dinner at the Tower of London, a presentation of a one-off £500 bursary at Goldsmiths’ North, and fundraising activities at both the UK Jewellery Awards and the National Association of Jewellers Awards.

The Benevolent Society has also received significant support from third parties in 2024, including The Goldsmiths’ Foundation, the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) and Beaverbrooks. This is in addition to the support from individuals and companies within the British Allied Trades Federation (BAFT), who regularly contribute through frequent donations or by adding a discretionary percentage to their mem-bership fees.

So far in 2024, The Benevolent Society has provided more than £154,000 worth of beneficiary payments in the form of cost-of-living support grants and one-off funds for items such as white goods, disability aids, and essential home repairs. It also continues to offer bursaries to deserving candidates wishing to enhance their careers, retrain and pursue new avenues of professional development. Since 2016, more than 90 bursaries have been granted, totalling £307,322.

For more information, please contact Laura Banner at laura.banner@batf.uk.com

About the British Allied Trades Federation (BATF)

The BATF is a unified federation of five of the most significant associations in the trade and consumer marketplace: The Giftware Association, the National Association of Jewellers, the Surface Engineering Association, the British Travelgoods & Accessories Association and the Jewellery Distributors Associa-tion. The BATF supports trade associations in attracting and retaining members. Today, it services more than 2,500 businesses, representing upwards of 50,000 employees and more than £25 billion at the re-tail level.

www.batf.uk.com

About The Benevolent Society

The Benevolent Society, charitable society of the British Allied Trades Federation financially assists in-dividuals that have worked within the giftware, jewellery, surface engineering, travel goods and fashion accessories industries. The Society also helps individuals starting or progressing their career journeys in these industries through bursaries to help with their studies.

www.thebenevolentsociety.co.uk