Meeting Needs brought together 85 industry supporters last Monday for its annual showcase event, celebrating another year of fundraising, grant giving and life-changing impact across the UK and overseas.
The event, hosted in partnership with One Aldwych, provided an opportunity for supporters, partners, volunteers and beneficiaries to come together and see first-hand how funds raised by the meetings and events industry are being used to support small charities and community projects.
Since its foundation 22 years ago, Meeting Needs has now raised £2,062,000 and awarded 444 grants, supporting projects that deliver practical, lasting change for people and communities in need.
During the event, the David Hackett Award for Outstanding Contribution to Meeting Needs, was awarded to the Events R’ Talented team, Matt Curran, Ken Findlay, Graeme Saunders and Paul Tidy.
Events R’ Talented has been a committed supporter of Meeting Needs since it was founded in 2018, using its platform to bring the industry together while raising significant funds for the charity. Last year alone, the event raised £29,186 for Meeting Needs, helping to fund beneficiary projects that deliver direct support where it is needed most.
Lene Corgan, Chair of Meeting Needs said: “We are deeply grateful to all of our industry supporters, whose commitment and generosity make it possible for us to support beneficiary projects in the UK and abroad, changing lives. And a big congratulations to the Events R’ Talented team on receiving this year’s David Hackett award for Outstanding contributions to Meeting Needs a well-deserved recognition of their fantastic support.”
The showcase highlighted the breadth of that impact, from education and digital skills in Zimbabwe through the Jafuta Foundation in Victoria Falls to creative health and healing support in the UK through The Dandelion Project. The beneficiary stories demonstrated the diversity of Meeting Needs’ work and the direct connection between industry fundraising and meaningful social impact.