The sky's the limit: Ben's childhood cancer fundraising effort tops ￡75,000

On 1 March 2022 I posted an article celebrating the fact that total charitable fundraising in the name of my son Ben (who died from a relatively common form of childhood cancer in October 2021, aged 16) had passed ￡50,000. Today, I was able to share with attendees at a wonderful in person networking event organised at one of mine and Ben's favourite places - The Mayflower Theate, Southampton - that we are now at well over ￡75,000 and well on our way to our ultimate target of ￡100,000. As I stepped out onto that wonderful stage and gazed up at the recently decorated star dome in the ceiling, I could not help thinking that there really is no limit to human kindness.

It is too easy to forget, perhaps, that much of this fundraising has taken place during a time of great uncertainty for many, particularly in terms of both the health and economic wellbeing of the country. Despite this, so many positive things are happening around us:

1. Tomorrow, Ben's school (Noadswood, Dibden Purlieu) will be rededicating their library (where Ben was Senior Library Leader) as the Ben Pavitt Learning Resources Centre;

2. On Friday, my firm Paris Smith will be hosting their Summer Party for partners and staff at the awesome Harbour Hotel, Southampton and running a raffle in aid of its nominated charities, Ben's Special Named Fund with the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group and the Red Cross Ukraine Emergency Appeal;

3. In 2 weeks' Ben's Fund (already now standing at over ￡40,000 plus Gift Aid) will be receiving the support of audiences at its 10th theatrical performance this year (CPYT's Little Shop of Horrors at the Point, Eastleigh);

4. In September - which is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month - a family friend is undertaking a sponsored climb for Ben's Fund of the Zugspitze - the highest mountain in Germany; and

5. In November, the Association of Business Recovery Professionals Southern and Thames Valley Region will be supporting Ben's Fund as its nominated charity at its black tie dinner - tables have gone on sale this week.

These are just a few of many more examples of how our communities - personal, social and corporate, local and international - are willing to throw their weight behind a worthy cause. It fortifies the spirit to see with the evidence of our own eyes that, despite all the horrific things going on around the world, human beings are essentially caring and community minded even (perhaps even especially) in the face of evident hardship.

Coincidentally, we have just secured also the registered trade mark for Ben Pavitt's Legacy of Love Fund logo, so we are looking forward in the Autumn to partnering with manufacturers and others to produce some high quality, responsibly sourced merchandise with all profits heading to charity and making some real inroads into our target, and hopefully smashing it in due course!

My thanks to the many hundreds of people who have supported us so far. If you would like to know more about Ben's Fund please follow this link: https://specialnamedfunds.cclg.org.uk/ben-pavitts-legacy-of-love-fund/