The Bacta Charitable Trust Ball is returning to its London roots in some style. The world famous, multi award winning Claridge’s Hotel will host the great and the good of the industry on June 12th – and tables, as they say, are have gone like hot cakes! Less than a fortnight after being launched the Ball is already officially sold-out with the Charitable Trust introducing a waiting list.
One of John Bollom’s first tasks as the incoming Chairman of the Bacta Charitable Trust has been to introduce a waiting list for June’s Summer Ball which has sold-out within a fortnight of it first being promoted via February’s edition of the EAG Exhibitor Bulletin.
The uptake of tickets has, he said, been “unprecedented” as members have moved swiftly to book their tables at Claridge’s the luxury London hotel favoured by royalty, Hollywood stars and international dignitaries. “When the Trustees took the decision to move the Ball to Claridge’s I don’t think anyone anticipated that tables would be booked quite so quickly,” he stated. “The Ball fulfils a number of functions: firstly, it is one of the major social events of the year but it’s also the primary fund-raising event for the Bacta Charitable Trust.”
Bollom continued: “Over the past thirty years, the Trust has worked alongside a broad spectrum of charitable organisations as well as backing the fundraising of individual Bacta members, often supporting deeply personal causes that hold special meaning for them.”
Focussing on the contributions made by Bacta members he noted: “Our industry has a proud history of standing behind charities, both large and small. With the third sector under significant financial pressure as a result of the cost-of-living crisis, it’s vital that we keep generating the funds that allow organisations to carry on delivering their essential support.”
“So far the industry has raised £900,000 for Rays of Sunshine and the Bacta Charitable Trust Summer Ball provides a perfect spring board to get closer to the magical £1m figure.”
To join the waiting list for the 2026 Bacta Charitable Trust Summer Ball on June 12th contact
Having a Ball
John Bollom said……. “Our industry has a proud history of standing behind charities, both large and small. With the third sector under significant financial pressure as a result of the cost-of-living crisis, it’s vital that we keep generating the funds that allow organisations to carry on delivering their essential support……
Originally published on Coinslot on February 16, 2026. Republished with permission.