How dealers can rally teams to support Ben this Christmas

# Quick summary Dealerships can support Ben this Christmas through two simple activities: a workplace Christmas Jumper Day and purchases of the charity's motoring-themed cards and gifts. These initiatives combine staff engagement and customer contact with fundraising, while Ben reports rising demand for its services as households face higher winter costs.

# What dealers can do Dealerships can pick one or both options.

• Ben's suggested date is Friday, December 11, but businesses can choose any day in December.
• Encourage colleagues to wear festive knitwear and ask for a voluntary donation of £3 per participant.
• Use the event to boost team morale and generate a visible fundraising moment on-site or across multiple locations.

Buy motoring-themed cards and gifts

• Cards and gifts can be given to customers, colleagues, friends or family, creating an easy transactional way to support the charity.
• Every purchase contributes directly to Ben's ability to provide practical, emotional and financial support to people in the automotive sector.

# Why this matters now Ben recorded increased demand for its services between April and June: 3,463 helpline touchpoints (up 8% year on year) and 2,050 support interventions (up 24%). The charity warns that higher winter household costs and Christmas-related financial pressures can worsen existing hardships, making simple, local fundraising activities timely and relevant.

# How dealerships can make it work Keep the activities straightforward and visible.

• Plan logistics early: choose a date for jumper day, promote it internally, and set up a simple donation collection method.
• Combine customer-facing and internal actions: offer cards at point of sale or include them with service handovers to extend fundraising into customer interactions.
• Publicise outcomes: share fundraising totals with staff and customers to show impact and encourage wider participation in future activities.

# Messaging and practical notes Use clear, empathetic messaging that connects the fundraising activity to Ben's role supporting automotive people and families facing hardship. Remind teams that Ben's services cover practical, emotional and financial support, and that help remains available to current and former industry workers who are struggling.

# Final takeaway Two simple, low-effort activities—a Christmas Jumper Day and buying motoring-themed cards—offer dealerships an effective way to engage teams, connect with customers, and raise funds for Ben at a time when demand for its services is rising.