Rolls-Royce Announces Charity Support

Together for Short Lives, the UK children’s palliative care charity, has held its annual Midsummer Ball in central London, where Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveiled plans for a year-long initiative to support the organisation in its work with seriously ill children and their families.

The Ball, hosted by the charity’s patron, Simon Cowell, raised more than £400,000 in support of Together for Short Lives. The charity’s hospice and palliative care services aim to achieve the best support for more than 49,000 British children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

Rolls-Royce Simon Cowell Together for Short Lives
Simon Cowell hands over the Rolls-Royce keys to Barbara Gleb Obe , CEO for Together For Short Lives

To help the organisation raise awareness of its activities, and raise vital funds to continue delivering its lifeline work, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars donated a Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II for a year, finished in the charity’s bright purple colour scheme and Together for Short Lives branding. The keys to the car were handed over to the charity by Simon Cowell himself.

The Ghost Series II will be used by the charity as it embarks on a non-stop ‘Rolls Rally’, visiting all four corners of Britain. The rally will raise awareness of the charity’s work, helping to provide round-the-clock care to some of the most seriously ill children in the country. The symbolic handover of the Ghost Series II’s keys marked the start of a new 12-month partnership between Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Together for Short Lives.

Barbara Gelb OBE, CEO for Together for Short Lives, said, “We are overwhelmed by the generosity of Simon Cowell, and the Midsummer Ball’s supporters, guests and stars who have made this such a memorable occasion – the staggering sum of £400,000 will make a lasting difference to our work with the UK’s 49,000 children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

“And what’s more, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has given Together for Short Lives a transformational opportunity to work in partnership on a fantastic year-long campaign. I have just seen the purple Rolls-Royce for the first time when our patron Simon Cowell handed the keys to me on behalf of Rolls-Royce.

“It’s stunning, and it’s so exciting to see our name and the vibrant purple colour of our brand. Over the coming year, we have the most amazing venture with Rolls-Royce to raise awareness of the fantastic children’s hospice and palliative care services across the UK, and, importantly, to raise money to help families get the care and support they need.”

“We’re proud to be able to support Together for Short Lives and the remarkable work they do,” said Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “I am certain that the funds raised on the evening and the activity planned throughout the next 12 months will have a lasting impact on the charity, allowing continued support for thousands of children and their families throughout the UK.”

The Together for Short Lives Midsummer Ball was hosted by stars Marvin and Rochelle Humes, who introduced acts from musician Katie Melua, broadcast entertainer Stephen Mulhern, Britain’s Got Talent finalists Jack Pack, and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra. Acts were followed by a DJ set from the legendary Grammy award-winning producer William Orbit, while the event also included a charity auction, carried out by Charlie Thomas, of world-renowned auctioneers Bonhams, and Stephen Mulhern, raising additional funds to support the charity.

Visit www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk/donate for more information on Together for Short Lives and how to support and get involved with the organisation’s work.

Note: Press release courtesy Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Staff