BEN, the motor trade charity, has had to close the palliative care unit at its Southport residential home, Alexandra House. It has also made a number of redundancies among its administration staff, after recording a £500,000 deficit in last year’s accounts.

Chief executive Gerard Barclay said that while the charity had kept its costs under tight control, fund-raising and donations had been lower than budgeted. He urged companies and individuals in the motor industry to support BEN and ensure it could continue to support motor industry employees and their families in times of hardship.

The charity has just published the BEN Book of Numbers, in another attempt to raise more funds.

This insight into statistics and trends of key sectors in the UK and European automotive industries is a reference guide for business leaders and has been edited by Professor Peter Cooke of the Centre for Automotive Industries Management at Nottingham Business School.

The publication has been sponsored by the BearingPoint management consultancy, which means all of its £99 fee goes directly to help BEN’s cases. Email paul@phoenixenterprises.co.uk for ordering details.

BEN’s UK five-a-side Football Championship is back. Regional heats take place in June and July at Birmingham, Fairlop Oaks, Gateshead, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield and Slough.

The UK final will take place on Sunday 15 July in Birmingham. Each team entry costs £150, which can work out at just over £20 per player. The price includes a minimum of 3 games (45 minutes football), floodlit all weather pitches, a fully qualified FA referee, prizes, trophies and lots more. Teams can field up to seven players. For an information pack and a team registration form please contact Adam Hanrahan on 01344 294719 or email adam.hanrahan@ben.org.ukM.