Race4Rene Fundraising Ball
Friday 4th October 2019
Welcome to the Race4Rene Ball! We are excited to invite you to join us for what is set to be an amazing and memorable evening. We are very privileged and delighted to have Jonny Benjamin MBE coming to speak at the event and share his own experience of mental health. In addition, we have secured some incredible prizes for you to bid on as part of the auction or to win in the raffle ... And if that wasn't enough, you can dance into the night with our live band. You really don't want to miss this!
All profits from the event will go directly to our two charities: PAPYRUS and Child Bereavement UK. Location: The Crowne Plaza, New Bridge Street, London, EC4V 6DB Drinks reception: 7pm (seated 7.30pm) Carriages: 12:30am Dress code: Black tie Event details: The tickets include:
12 years ago, Jonny Benjamin was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a condition with similarities to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, which can lead to depression, delusional beliefs, and hallucinations. He ran away from hospital to Waterloo bridge where he prepared to take his own life. While he was standing on the edge of the bridge, he was found by a stranger walking past who saw what he was about to do. The stranger intervened by telling Jonny he believed in him and that he would get better, and asked if he wanted to get a coffee. It was this statement of faith from a stranger that was his turning point. He agreed to the coffee, moved away from the edge of the bridge, before being taken to hospital by the police. The stranger’s words saved Jonny’s life.
After Jonny recovered, he started a campaign to find the stranger on the bridge. He launched the #FindMike social medial campaign which went global, and successfully identified the stranger: Neil Laybourn. Their reunion was turned into a Channel 4 documentary which aired in 2015. Mr Jonny Benjamin is an award winning mental health campaigner, film producer, public speaker, vlogger, and author of the acclaimed book “The Stranger on the Bridge”. We are absolutely delighted to have him as guest speaker and are really excited to hear him talk! |