The last few weeks have been another wonderful reminder that fundraising doesn’t end when the lights go down and the last guest leaves the ballroom.

Since my last blog, we’ve continued announcing donations from the MJ Farewell Ball, and I couldn’t be prouder of where the money is going.

One particularly special announcement was a further £337,500 donation to Variety, the Children’s Charity, taking the total donated from the Ball to £2,395,070. This latest donation will help Variety continue providing vital specialist equipment, wheelchairs and other support for disabled and disadvantaged children across the UK, giving them greater independence and the opportunity to take part in everyday activities that many of us take for granted.

We’ve also donated £125,000 to Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity, bringing the total we have donated to Rainbow Trust over the years to £500,000. Most recently, I joined the charity at a wonderful Family Fun Day in Cheadle Hulme as it celebrates its 40th anniversary. Meeting families and seeing children enjoying games, crafts and simply having fun together was a powerful reminder of what those figures actually mean.

£2,000 has gone to Oliver’s Dragons, a brilliant young Stockport charity created in memory of 11-year-old Oliver Buchanan. It supports local families affected by childhood cancer as well as projects designed to improve children’s confidence, resilience and wellbeing. Huge thanks to Tony Robinson from my Grant Giving Committee for introducing me to their wonderful work.

Perhaps some of the most moving moments, however, have come from seeing the longer-term impact of donations from both this year and previous Michael Josephson Balls.

At Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, I finally got to see the incredible Manchester MediCinema, which the £100,000 donation from the Farewell Ball helped bring to life. Giving children and adults receiving treatment the opportunity to enjoy the magic of cinema without leaving the hospital is something very special.

I also visited a social space for young people with cancer supported by funds from a previous Ball and the Teenage Cancer Trust. Co-created with the young people themselves, it gives them somewhere away from the clinical environment to spend time together, enjoy pizza and games nights, take part in creative sessions or simply talk.

This is the legacy I’m perhaps proudest of. The enormous amounts raised over the years continue to change experiences and improve lives long after the events themselves have become memories.

Summer in business can have a slightly different pace too. There have still been plenty of meetings, travelling and conversations going on at Stocks 2015 Ltd, but I’ve always found these slightly quieter weeks can be a valuable opportunity to take stock and look ahead. September will soon be here, diaries will fill up and the pace will inevitably increase, so I’m using this time to have some good conversations, plan for the months ahead and make sure we’re ready for a busy autumn.

Of course, life hasn’t been entirely about work and fundraising!

I’ve managed to enjoy some wonderful summer moments too, including a fantastic trip to Florence, exploring the city, sampling some incredible Tuscan wines and visiting the beautiful Antinori winery. There was also a brilliant weekend in the Lake District, staying at Storrs Hall on Windermere and visiting Ambleside, Cartmel and Grasmere while celebrating a good friend’s 80th birthday.

As summer continues, I’m feeling incredibly grateful. Grateful for the experiences, the friendships and, above all, for every single person whose generosity over the years has allowed our fundraising to keep making a difference.

And there is still plenty more to come.

THANK YOU.