Ride High’s annual Charity Ball returned in spectacular style this January, as over 200 guests stepped onto the red carpet for an unforgettable Las Vegas-themed evening – and helped secure life-changing support for 49 vulnerable children and young people.
Inspired by the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas Strip, the venue was transformed into a dazzling setting of bright lights and show-stopping entertainment. From the first roll of the dice to the final round of bidding, the evening combined high-energy celebration with a powerful shared purpose: raising vital funds to support Ride High’s work transforming young lives.
The generosity shown on the night means the charity can now welcome 49 new children and young people onto the Ride High programme for a full term. For those children, this represents far more than weekly sessions. It means structured support, trusted adult relationships, the opportunity to build confidence and resilience, and the chance to feel safe and valued.
Ride High supports vulnerable and disadvantaged children through a unique programme that combines equine-assisted learning, classroom-based education and mentoring. Early intervention is at the heart of the charity’s approach, helping young people develop the emotional regulation, communication skills and self-belief that underpin brighter futures.
While the Las Vegas theme brought energy and excitement, one of the most powerful moments of the evening came when two former Ride High members, Gabby and Rosie, bravely shared their personal stories. Speaking with honesty and courage, they reflected on the challenges they had faced, and the role Ride High played in rebuilding their confidence and sense of hope. Their words were a poignant reminder to the room of business leaders, partners and supporters that the charity’s impact extends far beyond a single term – it changes lives.
The success of the Ball was made possible by a wide network of supporters. MKFM’s Trevor Marshall compered the evening and hosted the event’s first game of disco bingo, kindly sponsored by Printiyo. Guests were treated to dazzling performances from Ollie Corbett and Romeo Dance Academy. The generosity of auction and raffle prize donors, sponsors, the dedicated event committee and an outstanding team of volunteers on the night ensured the evening ran seamlessly. Kate Everall Photography captured the evening on camera perfectly.
Addressing guests on the evening, Ride High CEO Olivia Sugdon spoke about both the immediate impact of the funds raised and the charity’s ambitious vision for the future.
“Seeing our community come together in this way is incredibly powerful. The funds raised will enable more children to walk through our gates and be given the chance to feel safe, valued and capable of more than they might believe possible. The stories we heard at the Ball are proof that our programme works – and thanks to everyone’s generosity, we can now support 49 more young people at a crucial time in their lives.”
For Ride High and the young people it serves, the Las Vegas Charity Ball was more than a glittering evening of celebration. It was a demonstration of what is possible when we unite around a shared purpose: creating brighter futures for children who need hope most.
