The Record-Breaking MBE Charity Ball Raises Over £1 Million

After months of build-up, the illustrious Michael Josephson MBE charity ball in Manchester finally arrived, raising a record-breaking sum of £1,063,872.

The star-studded event, in which Knight Knox were a joint headline sponsor alongside Robertson Group, took place at the Hilton Hotel on Deansgate, where a glamorous assembly of celebrities from the worlds of TV, music, and sports took part in the record-breaking evening.

Filled with both entertainment and fundraising, the ball saw captivating live performances by Sophie Ellis-Bextor and The Overtones, as well as a Moulin Rouge tribute featuring an acrobat swirling across the audience, adding a touch of spectacle to the glittering ball. Notable attendees included former Corrie star Ryan Thomas, Hi-de-Hi’s Su Pollard, and Manchester United legends Paul Scholes and Bryan Robson.

The generosity of the guests was instrumental in the success of the night, with a live auction hosted by Happy Radio DJ Darren Proctor & Michael Josephson raising hundreds of thousands of pounds. Notable bids included £40,000 for afternoon tea with Joanna Lumley and substantial amounts for a signed Ed Sheeran guitar and exclusive experiences.

The emotional core of the evening was Michael’s personal story, shared with the guests at the start of the night. Having overcome a traumatic childhood marked by loss and challenging experiences in the care system, Michael has dedicated himself to making a difference for children and young adults facing similar challenges.

All proceeds from the record-breaking night will be distributed among four main beneficiaries: Variety, The Children’s Charity, Mahdlo Youth Zone, Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, and, for the first time, The Anne Frank Trust UK, with smaller grants also being dispersed to a number of smaller charities in the coming months.

Andy Phillips, Managing Director of Knight Knox, expressed his pride in the company’s pivotal role as a headline sponsor, stating, “It is an honour for Knight Knox to support such a significant event that not only breaks fundraising records but also makes a tangible difference in the lives of children and young adults. Our commitment to corporate social responsibility aligns seamlessly with the values of the Michael Josephson MBE Charity Ball, and we are immensely proud to be a joint sponsor of such an incredible event.”

Michael Josephson MBE commented, “I’m so proud that the Michael Josephson Charity Ball 2023 has set the bar for being the first million pound plus charity gala in the north. It was a target I’d quietly set myself and I’m thrilled to have raised so much for great causes. I’d like to say a huge thanks to every person and brand involved, and of course to Knight Knox because without sponsorship none of it would be possible.”

To find out more about the work that Michael does, take a look at his website here, and to find out more about Knight Knox and the work we do, visit our charity page.