3/1 To Win
Derby County Community Trust hosted their second Black and White Ball on Thursday evening, with the event held exclusively at Osmaston Park in Ashbourne.
The Black and White ball welcomed over 1,400 staff members from across the club and Community Trust and guests from a wide range of businesses and sectors, who all pledged their support to the charitable arm of the football club.
The evening saw guests learn about various programmes that the Community Trust offer, from 2023 Programme of the Year Menopause Matters to hearing directly from participants directly involved in the Inclusive DS Active team.
DS Active offers football sessions for players with Down’s Syndrome, with three players taking to the stage to with their parents to open up about the true impact the programme has had on them.
Attendees also heard from PIB Insurance, a valued Community Trust partner who shared why they got involved with the Community Trust and support in so many ways, whether that is through sponsorship or helping us create meaningful experiences with last year's Santa's Grotto at Community Corner.
The speakers were rounded up with a catch-up with Head Coach and Assistant Head Coach Paul Warne and Richie Barker, who gave an update on pre-season training, along with expressing their support for the Community Trust’s work.
Through a number of games and raffles, with some incredible prizes donated by local businesses, including a four ball at Brailsford Golf Club, 12-piece Denby Dinner service set, tickets to Disney on Ice and Afternoon Tea for two at Morley Hayes’ Dovecote Restaurant.
The auction raised an incredible £6,425, with guests generously bidding on exclusive lots donated by many of the companies in the room.
Simon Carnall, Head of Community said: ''What a fantastic night! I am proud of everyone involved who have been able to bring back such a successful event. We know we work alongside some incredible businesses locally, and the standard of the prizes donated demonstrated that. The turnout and generosity shown on the evening was incredible.
“We have several amazing stories from across all departments within the Community Trust, and the Black and White Ball provides the perfect platform to share them. It will continue to be an annual fixture in the calendar, where we will continue to raise vital funds to support the many aspects of their award-winning work.
“We would just like to reiterate our huge thanks to Clowes Developments (UK) Ltd, who once again supported the Black and White Ball as headline sponsors''.
Prizes at the auction included a Wembley Stadium hospitality experience for the upcoming Community Shield meeting between Manchester City and Manchester United, donated by Delaware North, a Moor Farm training experience for a local team led by Paul Warne and his first team coaching staff and a private dining experience donated by the night’s caterers,, Butler’s Pantry, along with an exclusive SAS whisky decanter and whisky donated by supporter Neil Bennett.
One of the highest bidder items was for the trip of a lifetime. It was an opportunity for one person to join Derby County Community Trust on their next Rams in Kenya trip, taking place in 2025.
Following the auction, the final figure raised on the evening was an amazing £12,601!
Find out more by visiting derbycountycommunitytrust.com.
