Bacon baps, Bran Flakes and baked treats will all be back on the menu as Ben’s Big Breakfast charity fund-raising event returns for 2022.

Set to be served-up in a week-long series of activities starting on World Mental Health Day (October 10) will see automotive businesses encourage customers, friends and family to bring, bake or make a delicious breakfast spread.

Participating businesses will also be selling their breakfast treats to raise money automotive workers in need of Ben’s help.

Ben will also provide a Ben Bear to those hosting a Big Breakfast to raffle off and boost the fundraising efforts.

Matt Wigginton, Ben’s director of partnerships, engagement and income, said: “It’s official. The automotive industry loves a breakfast. Over 200 locations took part in last year’s inaugural Ben’s Big Breakfast – an unprecedented amount – so we knew we had to bring it back in 2022 and aim to reach even more automotive businesses.

“The Big Breakfast is such a simple way to raise funds, but it’s also an important reminder to check in with our colleagues.

“Having a chat over a cup of coffee in the morning could make such a difference to someone’s day without you even realising it.

“Often, people are suffering in silence, thinking that nobody has noticed or cares about them. A small gesture like catching up over a cuppa could change that. It could be the first step to them opening up, or reaching out to Ben for help.”

After the COVID-19 pandemic left Ben with a £1 million hole in its coffers, the charity is back with a bang in 2022.

Last month it set out on a UK roadshow to coincide with national Conversation Week (May 23 to 29), visiting small and medium-sized automotive businesses across the UK.

The charity has already promised that its Ben Ball event – cancelled due to the pandemic in 2020 – will return on December 7.

And the gruelling Beast of Ben is set to form its landmark, sector-wide fund-raiser for 2022.

Beast of Ben will take place between July 6 and July 8 at a location just outside Llanberis, North Wales, and involves several team challenges, including abseiling, water crossing, and problem solving, with the winning team taking home a trophy.

To find out more about Ben’s Big Breakfast 2022 or to sign up to this year’s event, visit https://ben.org.uk/get-involved/individual-and-corporate-events/ben-s-big-breakfast/