We’re still buzzing from the incredible night we shared at this year’s Inspire Charity Ball. Held at the beautiful Milsoms, Kesgrave Hall, the evening was filled with generosity, celebration and a wonderful sense of community spirit. And thanks to everyone who joined us, we raised nearly £50,000 to support young people across Suffolk. We honestly couldn’t be more grateful.
A Community Coming Together
As our CEO, Andy Crump, shared on the night:
“The Charity Ball was a truly special evening and a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when our community comes together. Raising nearly £50,000 in one night is an incredible achievement and will make a real, tangible difference to the lives of young people across Suffolk. I’m hugely grateful to everyone who supported the event, from our sponsors and donors to every single person who joined us on the night.”
And it really was a room full of community, business leaders from across Suffolk, long-standing supporters, generous donors and new friends eager to get involved. Together, you made the night what it was.
Auctions, Magic & Music
Our fundraising programme was packed from start to finish, with a live auction, silent auction and gift tree. All fuelled by the generosity of local businesses and prize donors.
During dinner, guests were treated to close-up magic from the brilliant Sean Goodman, followed by dancing late into the night with The Invisible Band.
The whole evening was expertly steered by Simon Jay, who somehow managed to be MC, comedian and auctioneer all at once. Keeping the energy sky-high while doing it!
Honouring Young People at the Heart of Inspire
One of the most powerful moments of the evening came when we welcomed Rosie, a young person Inspire has supported, who joined us as a VIP guest with her mum and sister. Hearing firsthand how Inspire has helped her reminded everyone in the room why this event matters so much.
Rosie shared:
“I felt a lot better, better about myself. I felt better about the way things are.”
Her mum, Steph, added:
“It’s definitely helped us all out of a dark place and a really difficult situation. We’ve got a lot to look forward to now and things are looking a lot more positive.”
We were also delighted to have Jamie with us, a young person supported through our YES (Youth Employment Service) programme. Jamie attended the Ball and generously donated a handmade dress to the silent auction. Their creativity and generosity were hugely appreciated, and their contribution showed exactly what can happen when young people feel supported, confident and proud of what they can achieve.
A Special Thanks to Our Main Sponsor
We’re incredibly grateful to StrategiQ, our principal sponsor for the evening, whose support helped make the event possible.
Their CEO, Andy Smith, shared why the partnership means so much to him personally:
“I was fortunate enough to have people who believed in me and helped me find my path. Inspire does that for young people today, providing the guidance and support that can genuinely make a difference in our local community. It feels like a real full-circle moment for me, and I’m incredibly proud that we can support them.”
Capturing the Spirit of the Night
Our Head of Fundraising & Events, Sara Warburton, summed up the atmosphere perfectly:
“The atmosphere on the night was absolutely electric. From the generosity shown in the auctions to the energy on the dance floor, the whole evening was a celebration of the incredible community that surrounds Inspire. Seeing the difference this support will make for young people like Rosie and Jamie is exactly why we do what we do, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we achieved together.”
Thank You, truly
To everyone who donated prizes, bid in the auctions, danced with us, shared the evening with friends or simply cheered us on; thank you.
Your support means that more young people across Suffolk will receive guidance, opportunities and life-changing support when they need it most. To keep up to date with all of our events, check our page: https://inspirecharityuk.org/events/ and follow us on social media.
