BCRS Business Loans raises thousands for charity at glittering Hollywood ball

Community lender BCRS Business Loans brought Hollywood glamour to Wolverhampton to raise vital funds for a stroke charity through a glittering themed ball.

A total of £8,111.23 was collected by the business lending specialist for its charity of the year, Dudley Stroke Association, when 157 guests attended an evening of entertainment and fundraising at the Grand Station venue.

Party goers were invited to step into the spotlight dressed as their favourite movie characters or in full red-carpet glamour.

The Hollywood characters to make an appearance included Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians, Mrs Doubtfire, the character made famous by Robin Williams, along with Pulp Fiction’s Mia Wallace, played in the 1994 movie by Uma Thurman.

The evening, held on Friday October 16, opened with a performance by 23 youngsters from Kennedy’s School of Dance, a youth dance school based in Sedgley, which is sponsored by BCRS Business Loans.

Representatives Louise Brookes and Chris Briggs from Dudley Stroke Association spoke to the guests about the charity’s vital work supporting stroke survivors, their families and carers across the borough.

Along with a three-course meal, the evening featured BCRS Business Loans’ biggest raffle to date, offering attendees the chance to win a range of prizes, as well as a silent auction.

Live entertainment was provided by Ed Cusick, who returned to act as both singer and DJ following his standout performance at last year’s ball.

Operating as a non-profit community development finance institution, Wolverhampton-based BCRS Business Loans offers a story-based approach to lending, enabling firms in the West Midlands and Wales to access finance from £10,000 to £250,000 to help generate growth and support recovery plans.

Stephen Deakin, chief executive of BCRS Business Loans, commented: “Thank you to all our guests for their generosity and the community spirit shown at our Hollywood-themed ball.

“Raising more than £8,000 for the Dudley Stroke Association is a phenomenal achievement that will directly support local stroke survivors and their families. To combine a night of incredible fun, from red-carpet glamour to fantastic performances by local talent, in aid of such a vital cause exemplifies the drive by BCRS Business Loans to make a positive difference to the local community.”

Nick Pratt, Dudley Stroke Association Chief Officer, said: “Thank you so much to BCRS Business Loans for hosting such a fantastic Hollywood Charity Ball. It was a wonderful opportunity to share our story while highlighting the support we provide and raising vital funds. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed on the night.”

Security experts GMS Group, based in Tividale, sponsored the table centre pieces, Black Country Chamber of Commerce sponsored a fun photo booth and solicitors Wilkes were the drinks reception sponsor.

In the last financial year, BCRS Business Loans lent £10.2m to 112 businesses, generating an economic value of £53.2m, creating 260 jobs and safeguarding 895 more. The lender dispersed 21 per cent of loans to ethnic minority-led businesses and 25 per cent to female-led businesses, 36 per cent taking place in the most deprived areas of the UK.

Last October BCRS Business Loans raised funds for then charity of the year Kids’ Village with a masquerade ball at Warwickshire Cricket Club’s Edgbaston Stadium.