RAILWAY BALL NEWS
Keep up-to-date with the latest news and updates
The Railway Ball
The Railway Ball is back after a two year break
Affectionately referred to as “UK rails biggest night out”, The Railway Ball 2022 is a fundraising event for Railway Children, attracting both young talent and industry paragons plus their partners.
This autumn The Railway Ball is returning to its usual timeslot, taking place, as is the custom, on the last Friday of November, which for 2022 will be Friday, 25 November 2022.
Message for Our Supporters
COVID-19 Update from Dyan Crowther
The Railway Ball and Railway Children are doing all we can to help vulnerable and marginalised children, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have continually been reviewing the viability of running this year’s Ball. Sadly, due to the continuing uncertainty, we have decided to postpone the 2020 Ball to Friday 26 November 2021.
The Railway Ball Auction
Time for a Shopathon!
This year’s Railway Ball Auction, is a megastore packed with merchandise and gift ideas to treat your nearest and dearest or to spoil yourself.
Our online auction goes live on Friday 22 November, but here’s a sneak preview…
Bill Tops the Bill
Bill Bailey is Booked for the Ball
The biggest night in UK Rail will see comedian Bill Bailey take to the stage in aid of Railway Children.
As one of the country’s best-known comedians, Bill’s comic and musical talent are just the right fit for seeing the funny side of things in our sci-fi adventure, Space Odyssey.
Ball FOMO
Meet this years first timers
In our 20th anniversary year we are still welcoming new businesses to The Railway Ball. Read why Capita KPMG, MPI, NatWest, Ricardo Rail and Site Operative Solutions have booked their places for the very first time.
Putting your money to work
Together we’re changing children’s lives
Since our first ever Railway Ball in 2000 we have done incredible things. Your support has helped us raise over £6,500,000. That generosity has changed thousands of lives like Selemani’s, Peter’s (pictured) and Jagdish’s…
The Railway Ball presents Space Odyssey
To boldly party where no one has partied before
Step into the abyss, to journey through time and space with our sci-fi discothèque, Space Odyssey. Music, dancing and the very best cocktails are all to be expected at The Railway Ball; plus for this year, for one night only, we can promise a theme of galactic proportions.
The Railway Ball
Making a huge difference for Railway Children
Railway Children has been fighting for the millions of children around the world that are forced to survive a life on streets and railway stations for over 20 years.
They’ve already helped over 300,000 children, who had no one else to protect them. But they’re only just getting started and can’t do it alone.
2018’s Dress Code
Get an authentic Prohibition look
Metropolis, the theme for this year’s Railway Ball, is set in the 1920’s which means that party goers attending our glamorous soiree are asked to dress the part.
If you have a fancy-dress phobia don’t worry. Read on for on how to turn your Black-tie attire into a Great Gatsby look with very little effort.
Welcome Back Brian
One of the best, and many would say the best, Railway Ball comperes was Brian Conley. We are delighted to announce he has agreed to host Metropolis. Described as Britain’s best loved entertainer, Brian can sing, dance, as well as ad-lib some cutting one liners and gags.
2018 Theme Launched
Metropolis
When The Railway Ball invites you to one of our parties, it’s a no-brainer that you’ll be attending. Metropolis, our tribute to the roaring 20’s, is no exception. Music, dancing and the very best cocktails are all to be expected, and this year there is the guarantee of opulence and a hint of decadence.
Drum Roll Please
Final Figure Announced
We are delighted to announce that our cumulative fundraising since 2000 is a phenomenal £6,089,338…
The Ball has been running for 17 years, and whilst we approach our 18th, we would like to thank everyone who has supported! Your generosity has helped thousands of children’s lives change for the better.
Ball Host 2017
Tim Vine to host in November
This year’s Railway Ball host is comedian, actor, writer and presenter Tim Vine. Twice winner of best joke at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Tim currently fronts his own chat show on Radio 4, featuring off the cuff interviews with members of the audience, who he has never met.
Theme announced
The Magnificent Melodic Machine
This year’s theme is our most avant-garde yet and is rooted in the Victorian era, taking inspiration from Jules Verne (Around the World in Eighty Days, The Steam House, and 20,000 Leagues under the Sea) and H.G. Wells (The Time Machine).
Thank you!
Corporate Partners
Thales, Colas Rail, Worldline, Knorr-Bremse and Taylor Woodrow have all signed up to sponsor the Ball, as it returns to the InterContinental London – O2 on 24 November 2017.
Look out Mary, Paul and Prue!
The Great Rail Bake Off
As news breaks that Prue Leith is lined up to take over from baking icon Mary Berry, The Railway Ball’s very own kitchen brigade have given their Star Bakers a run for their money.
A record £522,866 raised
Icons and Idols
2016’s Ball played tribute to the world’s best loved legends, re-enacting their famous performances in front of a capacity crowd. The UK rail industry came together once again to raise a phenomenal £522,866 for Railway Children.
2016 Host Announced
Impressionist Jon Culshaw to host The Railway Ball
It is fair to say that Jon is regarded as Britain’s favourite impressionist, with a huge repertoire of 350 characters from all walks of life. Name a celebrity, politician or sports star and Jon can capture them. Boris, Obama, Russell Crowe and Michael McIntyre for a starters.
We have come a long way
Over £5million raised for Railway Children
To every individual and business who took part in The Railway Ball over the years, we can’t thank you enough. No matter how large or small your donation, every penny matters and is valued. Your generosity means the current cumulative total for all the Railway Balls since we started out in 2000 stands at £5,014,288. This staggering sum will change thousands of children’s lives forever.
New Venue New Opportunities
Merits of the InterContinental London – The O2
The InterContinental at the O2 is a large luxury hotel, with one of the largest pillar free Ballrooms in Europe, so it scored highly over other potential venue contenders that were considered. The extra space gives a vast blank canvas to bring a new dimension to our entertainment, plus scope to grow the event and raise more money for Railway Children. Furthermore the hotel has 453 bedrooms, with all the “add ons” you’d expect from such a posh establishment.
Is Your Business Missing a Feel Good Factor?
The success of The Railway Ball is thanks to the imagination of individuals and businesses who lead the UK Rail Industry. It is widely regarded as the single most important railway networking event and is one of the most significant income streams for Railway Children. This year The Railway Ball will have raised £5million for Railway Children, but it doesn’t end there…
Double Donations Boost for Ball
Since our first ball in 2000 The Railway Ball has gone from strength to strength. Raising more £4.5m for Railway Children, to help them fight for children living on the streets and railway platforms around the world. This year we want to smash the £5million mark and have some fantastic news to help us get there…
High Level Networking!
Following the success of this year’s trek to Everest Base Camp, Railway Children’s next challenge is to take on the stunning trek to Mount Kenya, the highest mountain in Kenya and the second highest in Africa.
Behind the Scenes
SoulCity Soul Food
One of the organising team’s summer rituals (and to be honest a perk of the job) is the Railway Ball menu tasting at the Grosvenor House. In order to come up with a 4 course meal, over 21 dishes, 7 wines and 7 cocktails were trailed last week at The Grosvenor House.
New Promotional Opportunity
Advertise in the Ball Programme
We have a new advertising opportunity to get visibility at the Railway Ball and share the limelight with other first class supporters. Adverts in the Souvenir Programme are read by the 1,100+ guests who attend.
Say Cheers!
Sponsor the Cocktail Reception
The cocktail reception is a key solo sponsor item of The Railway Ball. This is a golden opportunity to make a strong impression right from the outset. The Ball is now sold out but this package will get 5 tickets to the cocktail reception and aftershow party.
A Real Blast
Explosive Mover and Shaker Experience!
Balfour Beatty is pulling all the stops out to support the Railway Ball. Visit a quarry at Carnforth in the beautiful Lake District and push the button to detonate an explosion. Then watch as thousands of tonnes of rock come crashing down.
Girl Power
Let’s Hear it for the Girls and Railway Children
“Auction lots for the Railway Ball sure do need a feminine touch”. Now if this sounds like a sexist remark, I would add this is a feedback from several of the ladies who attend. To address this we are after lots that will appeal to women.
