The community behind The Blend has once again come together in an inspiring show of solidarity, raising a staggering £15,000 for industry charity, Ben.
The generous donation is the result of a collective effort, driven by the entire community and its partners. The funds were gathered through various initiatives, including a charity hike, individual contributions, and proceeds from The Blend’s 2024 annual conference.
The Blend Charity Hike, held on September 25th in the stunning Peak District National Park, saw 30 participants from garages across the country tackle a challenging route which encompassed the Derwent Edge and Ladybower Reservoir.
“We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who took part in the hike and to those who generously donated,” said Alex Lindley, Director of Garage Hive. “It means so much to see the community come together for such a worthy cause. And, for once, we had decent weather – something of a rarity for a Blend hike. It made the day even more enjoyable and memorable for all involved.”
The total amount was increased by funds raised at the non-profit Blend annual conference. Held in Birmingham on Saturday, 28th September, the sold-out event brought together over 400 industry professionals, with further community donations made throughout the day.
During the evening, Dean Lomas of DC Lomas and Matt Jeffreys of St John’s Garage and RPM Malvern hosted a surprise clothing auction, further boosting funds raised for Ben. It featured two bespoke t-shirts and one of Tim Benson’s now industry-renowned shirts, from Oldfields Garage.
“We are incredibly proud of the collective effort behind this fundraising campaign and the important difference it will make,” said Ray Dilsons, Event Director at The Blend. “The generosity displayed by everyone involved has been truly inspiring. This incredible achievement highlights the power of coming together for a common cause, and we are proud to support such a vital charity.”
Ben offers vital support to those working in the industry during difficult times. It provides financial assistance, mental health services, and practical help to workers and their families within the sector, ensuring they receive the care they need when facing personal or professional challenges.
The Blend will return to Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms on October 18th, 2025. Garages are encouraged to subscribe to The Blend Podcast, available on all major platforms, for an all-year-round dose of Blend inspiration and industry insights.
For more information on The Blend and to register interest for next year’s event, visit: https://www.theblend.events/.
The Penygroes Service Centre located in South Wales was founded in 2014 by Jonathan. He has extensive 17 years of experience in the industry. However, Jon found himself doing a lot of manual labour for data management to keep a finger on the pulse of the business. Therefore, joined Garage Hive's garage management software in March 2021 and has already seen a significant improvement in his garage, an increase in gross profit and has achieved a great NPS® Score.
Tom and Kayleigh runs their garage TR Autos in Yeovil, Somerset. They joined Garage Hive last year. Tom has two decades of industry experience , both practical and technician side and now business as TR Autos was founded in 2008; since then the team has grown, practices have moved away from paper diaries to garage management software, their productivity has increased and they also have moved into bigger premises.
As workshops continue to face mounting pressures to boost efficiency and profitability, independent garages are being encouraged to embrace data-driven decision-making in the new year. Real-time, reliable insights are crucial for overcoming...
The community behind The Blend has once again come together in an inspiring show of solidarity, raising a staggering £15,000 for industry charity, Ben. The generous donation is the result of a...
Awarding-winning garage management system, Garage Hive has announced the launch of a new international partnership programme to expand its availability to garages worldwide. Prospective partners will benefit from extensive business support, training,...