Huge demand to attend ball in memory of inspiring Ben
An “emotional” ball will be held in memory of Bath teenager Ben Saunders, who died from cancer when he was 18.
Ben was told he had a sarcoma attached to his heart in October 2019, which then spread to his lungs.
The teenager, who played for Bath City FC’S youth team, had two major open-heart surgeries and six rounds of intense chemotherapy.
On August 25 2020, the Bath City FC Academy player died.
Hundreds of people gathered to remember “inspirational” Ben at a memorial.
After his illness, Ben set up the Ben Saunders Foundation to provide holidays for teenagers and young adults with cancer.
In the past 18 months, the charity has raised almost £300,000 and has purchased two holiday lodges in the Cotswolds for cancer patients to stay in.
Over 60 families have stayed already with another 25 booked in between now and the end of April.
Families come to stay from all over England and Wales and it has been an incredible success.
This week would have been Ben’s 20th birthday and to celebrate him, his family are holding Ben’s Ball on Saturday (February 26) at the Apex Hotel in Bath. Over 300 tickets were sold within two weeks and there is even a waiting list.
Ben’s dad, Thomas, said: “Obviously it would have been Ben’s 20th birthday on Wednesday, that will be a difficult time for all of the family.
“My wife and I are apprehensive about Saturday and seeing everyone - it will be difficult.
“When we first booked the Apex Hotel we were expecting maybe 100, but we quickly sold 300 in ten days and there is now a waiting list.”
Mr Saunders said he would like to make this an annual event to raise money for Ben’s foundation and to secure its legacy.
He said: “Our holiday lets have got 18 years left on the lease and take about £7,000 to £8,000 to run each year and we need to have that ready each year.
“We have just received our second £10,000 grant from the national lottery which is great and we’re fast approaching having raised £300,000 in the 18 months since we started.
“It will be an emotional night as we have Ben’s friends and all his family coming, including his
cousin Sophie Mcshera who is in Downton Abbey.
“It will raise money on the night through the raffle and auction which will be great, but the night is about celebrating Ben. Nothing is too much for Ben.”
The foundation has received prizes from Bristol City, Bath Rugby, Bristol Rugby and many other sports teams ahead of its gala dinner.
It has also received an incredible donation from jeweller Coppins of
Corsham - a white gold heartshaped necklace with coloured diamonds.
The raffle can be entered whether you are attending the ball or not and tickets cost £5. Comedian Jarrad Christmas and singer Steve Robinson will be performing and both have offered their services free of charge. Anyone interested in entering the raffle should visit the website: www.bensaundersfoundation.org.