Bibendum 2012 Charity Ball

Bibendum raised over £50,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society at its inaugural charity ball.

The ball took place in March at 8 Northumberland Avenue and had a 1920s Dames, Dappers and Debutantes theme. Attendees included many of Bibendum’s customers and partners from the trade.

The crowd danced the night away to electro-swing duo The Correspondents and Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills following the all important charity auction conducted by Bibendum’s very own Willie Lebus.

The top selling lot in the auction, a two night stay at Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron in Bordeaux, sold for £5,500.

Among the other top-selling prizes were: dinner for 8 in the successful bidder's home cooked by Chez Bruce chef Bruce Poole with special guest 'sommelier' Jancis Robinson MW, a bottle of 1900 vintage Samalens Bas Armagnac, and a selection of Jeroboams of Champagne donated by six different Grandes Marques.

The MS Society has been Bibendum’s nominated charity since June 2008 and in that time Bibendum has directly raised in excess of £125,000 in cash and kind for the charity. All the funds have been raised by Bibendum’s staff organising events and raising sponsorship. Since 2008, Bibendum employees have run marathons, completed the 3 Peaks Challenge, skydived from 10,000 feet and much more besides, to support the MS Society.

The idea for the ball came about twelve months ago when Bibendum allowed each employee one paid day to support the MS Society, and a team got together to use their charity days to organise the event.

Bibendum Managing Director, Michael Saunders, said: “I am very proud of the creativity, energy and commitment the Bibendum team has invested to raise funds for the MS Society – and the fact we are the charity’s largest current corporate donor.

“The ball was a fantastic occasion that raised even more money than we had dared hoped for. It was terrific to see so many Bibendum customers, suppliers and partners in the same room for such a good cause, and I would like to thank everyone who generously donated prizes or who came along and contributed to the evening’s success.”

Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of the MS Society, added: “The ball was tremendous fun and the figure raised will make a real difference to the vital work we do to help improve the lives of people living with multiple sclerosis. On behalf of everyone at the MS Society, I would like to thank Michael Saunders and all the Bibendum team for their hard work and generosity.”