Wrapping Up MJ Ball 2024: A Final Donation with Real Impact
What a way to round off the incredible journey of the MJBall24. I’m so proud to share that the final donation from last year’s Ball – a fantastic £20,000 – has gone to the extraordinary team at Opportunity International UK.
I had the privilege of attending a truly special event to mark the moment, hosted by C. Hoare & Co., the UK’s oldest privately owned bank, in the historic setting of St James’s Palace. It was an honour to be there alongside Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Lord Wei of Shoreditch, and Baroness May, our former Prime Minister – all champions of social progress in their own right.
To top it all off, my dear friend and MJ Ball icon Heather Small performed live, bringing her signature energy and passion to the occasion. A night to remember, celebrating a cause that means so much.
Opportunity International UK is doing remarkable work across Africa and beyond – creating lasting change by unlocking potential. Through microfinance, digital banking, savings groups, health support and financial training, they empower individuals to build brighter futures for themselves and their communities.
Their impact is far-reaching:
Amazingly, 75% of Opportunity’s clients in 2024 are young people – the next generation. Their approach is rooted in trust, tailored to local needs, and focused on long-term change. One loan can launch a business. One opportunity can transform a life.
I couldn’t think of a more fitting way to close out this chapter of the MJ Ball. Supporting young people to thrive – wherever they are in the world – is what this mission has always been about.
To everyone who bought a ticket, placed a bid, sponsored a prize or simply showed up and supported: thank you. The journey of the MJBall24 may be complete… but the impact continues.
