Staff at BCA nationwide joined in during National BEN Week earlier this year, and over £5,000 was raised for the automotive industry charity.   With the theme of ‘Back 2 School’, staff and customers got involved with sports days, school exams and tuck shops all with the aim of raising some welcome funds for BEN.

BCA’s UK operations director Simon Henstock handed over a cheque for £5,360.70 to Tracy Brislen, BEN regional development manager – South.

Henstock commented “Everybody at BCA got right behind this fundraising initiative for BEN and we were delighted to raise such a substantial sum for this most worthy of causes.”

Brislen added “BCA have consistently been one of the biggest fundraisers during National BEN Week over the years and on behalf of everyone at BEN, I would like to thank everyone at BCA nationwide who got involved.”

Top BCA fundraising location was Brighouse which raised £1,238.50.  Kendra Brecon, business administration manager at Brighouse commented “Our Back 2 School theme was Rydell High from the movie Grease.  We auctioned two Ben Bears, sold cakes, buns and biscuits at our Tuck Shop, dressed up as Pink Ladies and T-Birds and sold a car kindly donated by The Car People which raised £525.”

Staff at Belle Vue generated £897 for BEN through a charity raffle, wet sponge throwing, sponsored basket hoops, a staff 'back to school’ quiz and a dress down day.

Farnham raised £800 with events taking place every day during National BEN Week.  There was a sports day, tuck shop and a School Quiz, while Blackbushe raised £456 with dress-down days and an opportunity to cane the ‘Head Teacher’, Blackbushe manager James Gibson.

Paddock Wood worked closely with customers and suppliers to raise a grand total of £617 for BEN.  This included a raffle of BMW Olympic souvenirs donated by Stephen James BMW / MINI which totalled £167 and the sale of valeting donated by Motorclean, a print of Sunningdale golf course offered by BCA, and two VIP parking spaces at Paddock Wood for 6 months all of which were purchased by Strood Motor Company.