Forbes Family Group fundraising Gala in support of the ACLT raises £360,000
The Forbe Family Group Fundraising Gala saw some of London’s biggest stars across football, business, television and music come out to support the ACLT charity last weekend.
Held at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel, the night saw the non-profit organisation raise over £350,000 for the charity to continue to provide life-saving treatments and unwavering support to individuals battling blood cancers and blood disorders.
Organised by not-for-profit foundation, The Forbes Family Group (FFG), headed up by tech leader, Dean Forbes, hosted a night of fun, entertainment and networking welcoming high-profile guests such as, Rio Ferdinand, Jamelia, Katie Piper, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and more.
The night of elegance, impact and vital awareness, hoped to spark a much needed wave of new donors to life-saving registers.
One of which has continued to need constant and unique awareness and support due to it mainly affecting people of Black African, Black Caribbean or Mixed background is Sickle Cell.
The painful and debilitating condition currently affects more than 17,000 people in the UK and as sickle cell predominantly affects people from the black community, ethnically matched blood plays a crucial role when transfusions are needed as regular treatment.
In 2023, there were approximately 19,300 regular blood donors of Black heritage, making up only two per cent of the existing 799,000 regular donors of all ethnicities.
Danielle Forbes and Dean Forbes ACLT has been instrumental (with other stakeholders) in increasing the numbers of new Black blood donors from 3,315 in 2016/17 to a record 7,427 between April 2022 and March 2023 but more is needed.
CEO & Co-Founder of the ACLT, Orin Lewis OBE said: “I am euphoric over the outcome of Saturday night’s ACLT Gala. And that was because Forbes Family Group planned and successfully executed a fundraising event of the highest order and quality, which was equally entrenched with an emotional and informative call to arms response by individual and corporate attendees to the ACLT’s on the night message to give the gift of life by donating blood.”
Forbes Family Group have worked to amplify ACLT’s mission to increase awareness of the need for blood donors of Black heritage and let the UK public know that giving blood is safe and easy and in just one hour they can save the lives of three adults or six babies.
Saturday’s gala saw guests get the chance to find out their blood type, take part in an exclusive silent auction and hear how they can be part of a vital change to thousands of lives.
Dean and his wife Danielle’s personal experience with ACLT was a result of their daughter suffering from Leukaemia at the age of two compelled them to curate the special evening for ACLT.
Tech Leader and Chairman of Forbes Family Group, Dean Forbes said: “We were thrilled to host this year’s Gala to support the work of ACLT and stand alongside such an incredible organisation dedicated to making a profound impact.
“We were honoured to have notable friends and peers across industries come to support and contribute to this vital cause and look forward to a memorable evening celebrating the unity and generosity that drives change.
“Having been able to raise £360,000, we couldn’t have asked for a better evening and outcome.
“Community is the foundation of Forbes Family Group, and this weekend event will serve as a reminder of why we will continue to support and collaborate in order to enforce change.”
Speaking on the organisation of the event, Forbes Family Group Chief of Staff, Ann-Marie Hackett said: “It was a truly rewarding experience to organise this weekend’s gala for ACLT and support their mission.
“We promised an evening of celebration, hope, and profound impact and are proud to have delivered on that.
“We look forward to supporting more causes in the future and witnessing the collective effort and generosity of everyone involved.”
