Published: September 25, 2024 | Updated: 25th September 2024
Barratt David Wilson Homes (BDW) Southampton hosted its fifth annual charity dinner at St Mary’s Stadium, raising an impressive £160,000 for Saints Foundation, the charitable arm of Southampton Football Club.
The event brought together over 400 attendees from across the construction industry for a night of fun and fundraising.
Special guest Ant Middleton, from TV’s SAS: Who Dares Wins, captivated the audience with tales from his career in the UK Special Forces, the Royal Marines, and the Army. Middleton’s appearance was one of the highlights of an evening filled with entertainment and generosity.
The event was hosted by comedian and magician Paul Martin, who added to the evening’s glamour with his mix of comedy, magic, and mind-reading, all in line with the event’s masquerade ball theme.
Guests gave generously, participating in a silent auction featuring unique prizes such as a signed Pele football shirt, a cooking experience with TV chef James Martin, and helicopter flying lessons.
BDW Southampton has been a patron of Saints Foundation for several years, raising over £500,000 for the charity during this time. The funds raised go directly to support the Foundation’s work across Southampton, helping those most in need to reach their full potential.
Megan Hamlyn, Marketing Manager at BDW Southampton, said: “We were honoured to host this glittering event for the fifth year in a row and thrilled to raise such a huge amount for the Saints Foundation.
“Our mission at BDW is to help improve the quality of life for the communities in which we build, and Saints Foundation is also committed to significantly improving the lives of people in and around Southampton through its many projects, so there is a great fit between our two organisations. We are delighted to support them again this year.”
Jazz Bhatti, Head of Fundraising and Partnerships at Saints Foundation, added: “We are so grateful to Barratt David Wilson Homes for supporting us with yet another incredible night of fundraising.
“Thanks to the generosity of them and their guests, we’re able to continue our life-changing work as times continue to be tough for so many people living in our city. The need for a helping hand remains real, and it means so much to us that Barratt continues to show their support.”
The £160,000 raised this year will go directly towards supporting the Foundation’s projects, which aim to improve the lives of people across the city.