The UK Government has pledged to continue working closely with the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC) following the remarkable success of its inaugural Charity Ball which raised £50,000 for the Niall Stringer Foundation.
The event, held on Friday and headline-sponsored by Market Financial Solutions, brought together more than 320 professionals from 110 mortgage businesses in a powerful show of unity around mental health and wellbeing.
All proceeds will go to the Essex-based Niall Stringer Foundation, which provides mental health support and promotes access to sports clubs for young people across the UK.
IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH
Mental Health Minister Baroness Merron praised the MIMHC for its leadership and confirmed the Government’s commitment to working alongside the charity to strengthen mental health support nationwide.
She said: “I am committed to improving the state of the nation’s mental health and building a mental health system that meets everyone’s needs now and in the future.
“We are transforming mental health services with an extra £688 million, hiring 8,500 additional mental health workers, delivering more talking therapies and providing better access to support through the NHS App.”
And she added: “The support that groups like the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter provide is vital, and I will continue to work alongside these groups to improve mental health support for all.”
STAR SUPPORT
The MIMHC Charity Ball was hosted by Rugby World Cup winner Will Greenwood MBE and featured a high-profile wellbeing panel chaired by Jason Berry, Group Sales Director at Crystal Specialist Finance, with Poppy Jaman OBE, founder of Mental Health First Aid England, bestselling author Carrie Carlisle and mental health and suicide first aid instructor Sally Desborough.
In a bold departure from tradition, the event was alcohol-free – a deliberate reflection of its focus on wellbeing and inclusivity.
TRULY HUMBLED
William Lloyd-Hayward, MIMHC co-founder and organiser, said: “We were truly humbled by the incredible response to the first MIMHC Charity Ball.
“With more than 320 people in attendance representing 110 businesses across our industry, this was amongst the largest and most successful mortgage industry fundraising events on record.
“We want to say a huge thank you to every person and business which supported this event.
“With the focus on conversations, we believe this event not only raised a record sum, but it has started an even bigger conversation about the things we can all do to support our own and others’ mental health journeys.”
OPEN CONVERSATIONS
Paresh Raja, CEO of headline sponsor Market Financial Solutions, said: “Market Financial Solutions was proud to sponsor the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charity Ball.
“The Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter has already done so much to raise awareness of mental health within the mortgage sector.
“We were delighted to contribute to an evening that will foster more open conversations and improve support for those experiencing mental health challenges.”
And he added: “An ambitious target of £50,000 was set ahead of the event, and the generosity of the industry shone through as that goal was achieved for the Niall Stringer Foundation – a charity which does fantastic work with sports clubs and mental health services across the country to help prevent suicide among young people.
“Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved for making the event such a resounding success.”
STAGGERING SUPPORT
Rob Jupp, chief executive of The Brightstar Group and Trustee of the Niall Stringer Foundation, added: “The support for this inaugural event was staggering as was the sum of money raised.
“The Niall Stringer Foundation will put this to work immediately, and many young people will be in a better place due to the kindness and generosity of the UK Mortgage Industry.”
SETTING THE BENCHMARK
A live charity auction hosted by TV personality Russell Quirk raised an additional £10,000 on the day.
Quirk said: “I was honoured to be asked to attend this event and to hold the gavel as auctioneer, raising £10,000 for the Niall Stringer Foundation.
“As a ‘dry’ event the bidding was not fuelled by the usual alcohol enthusiasm but nonetheless, the money raised was incredible, including £4,000 for a unique bass guitar signed by the great and the good of musical legend, won by Peter Brodnicki.
“What a great sport!”
MINISTERIAL SUPPORT
Lloyd-Hayward added: “The MIMHC Charity Ball 2025 has not only raised vital funds for a life-changing cause but has also cemented the Charter’s growing partnership with Government.
“With continued ministerial backing and industry-wide engagement, the MIMHC is now firmly positioned at the heart of the UK’s effort to promote better mental health across the mortgage and financial services sectors.”
And he said: “With 320 industry professionals from 110 mortgage businesses attending, the first MIMHC Charity Ball has set a new benchmark for mortgage sector fundraising events.
“This proves that a focus on wellbeing and community can make a powerful difference.”
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