Louth Competition Company's Charity Ball Raises Vital Funds for Heart Research
The founders of a Louth-based competition company have successfully raised a significant sum exceeding £12,000 for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) through a dedicated charity event. The fundraising ball, held at the Brackenborough Lakes Resort, was organised by Blaze Competitions' owners, Ryan Mendham and Ryan Gray, who established their prize competition enterprise on Christmas Eve in 2022.
A Personal Tribute Drives Community Fundraising Effort
The business partners chose to support the British Heart Foundation in memory of Ryan Mendham's father-in-law, Neil Borman, who tragically passed away due to cardiovascular disease in 2013. Ryan Mendham explained the personal motivation behind the event, stating that Neil was greatly missed by his wife Natalie and their wider family circle. The sudden loss was a traumatic experience, inspiring the team to organise a fundraiser with substantial prizes to generate as much financial support as possible for the BHF's life-saving research initiatives.
"We wanted to organise an event with some big draw prizes to try and raise as much money as we can to support BHF's life saving research and help save other families from going through the shock and devastation of losing a loved one suddenly to heart disease," said Ryan Mendham. He emphasised the community spirit that underpinned the event, noting that the whole town came together to support the cause.
Overwhelming Local and National Support for the Event
The charity ball attracted more than 120 guests and received backing from over 50 local businesses, alongside several national companies, all contributing to its success. Since its launch, Blaze Competitions has donated a cumulative total of more than £65,000 to various charitable organisations, demonstrating a strong commitment to philanthropy. The recent event featured an array of fantastic prizes, including a car and a Rolex watch, which were awarded during a live prize draw. Activities such as Bingo, dancing, and excellent cuisine further enhanced the evening, making it a memorable occasion for all attendees.
"We're absolutely delighted that we raised more than £12,000 at the ball for the BHF," Ryan Mendham added, highlighting the collective effort that pushed the fundraising total even higher.
Funds to Support Critical Heart and Circulatory Disease Research
The money raised will directly aid the British Heart Foundation in funding essential research into heart and circulatory conditions, including heart attacks, stroke, and vascular dementia. It will also support investigations into risk factors such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Despite considerable medical advancements, heart and circulatory diseases remain the leading cause of death globally. In the United Kingdom, a family loses a loved one to these conditions every three minutes, with approximately 160,000 individuals in Lincolnshire alone living with such health challenges.
Charity Praises Event's Energy and Generous Support
Melanie Meik, the Community Engagement and Fundraising Manager for the British Heart Foundation in Lincolnshire and Rutland, expressed her admiration for the event. "I have never attended an event like this before, there was a lot of energy and fun in the room and support for our incredible cause," she remarked. She acknowledged the BHF's 65-year history of funding groundbreaking research that has transformed science fiction into real-life treatments and cures. However, she stressed that millions of people are still awaiting the next medical breakthrough, relying on the generous support of companies like Blaze Competitions and event donors to sustain future research efforts.
February is recognised as Heart Month across the UK, during which the British Heart Foundation encourages public participation in fundraising challenges to support its ongoing campaigns. The charity also invites corporate partnerships to further its mission, providing contact details for interested businesses.
