The 20th Ben Gala concert will take place in the grounds of Lynwood, Sunninghill, Ascot, on Friday 16 July, followed three days later by the inaugural National Ben Day timed to coincide with its 99th birthday.

The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will perform at the concert and the evening will draw to a close with a fireworks display synchronised to the musical finale of Rule Britannia and other traditional favourites.

Full hospitality tickets including entry and a champagne supper cost £100 each, plus there are various sponsorship and corporate hospitality packages available. The main sponsors currently include Ford, Peugeot, Honda, Cavendish, RAC and Citroen.

Meanwhile National Ben Day is intended to inspire employees from across the motoring industry to raise the Fund’s profile and income.

Gerard Barclay, Ben chief executive, says: “It costs £200,000 a week to run Ben, and we get no funding other than from the industry. National Ben Day is a way of getting all staff involved in supporting Ben.”

Ben, the automotive industry benevolent fund, is setting every organisation that participates the challenge of raising £99 to mark its 99 years and has put together a toolkit full of fundraising ideas.

For details call Lucy Killington at Ben Events on 01344 294 755 or at lucy.killington@ben.org.uk.