This year Hilda's Ball strives to be as environmentally friendly and as commercially ethical as possible. From the sourcing of our materials to energy efficiency, we have taken steps to make our Ball the best it can be, for people AND planet. All of our posters have been printed on recycled paper, and our flyers will be "eco-printed" where possible. Likewise, we will be providing plenty of recycling bins at the ball itself, and providing recyclable cups, plates and other items, in order to keep waste to a minimum. To maintain this focus on green policy across the organisation of the Ball, our designated Environment and Ethics officer, Anna Appleby, has researched companies from across the Ball's operations and has created a "blacklist" of companies that the Ball will not support, as well as recommended companies and initiatives for the Ball to make good use of. For instance, we are requesting that the lighting in the marquees will be LED lighting, to save energy, and we hope to source and share materials with other balls to reduce waste. Finally, we are supporting the Living Wage Campaign, to make sure that our staff are paid and treated fairly.
This year, St. Hilda’s Ball is a charity ball. This means that we will be giving our profits to charity, and raising more along the way. We have chosen WaterAid and Helen and Douglas House, on account of the fantastic work they do for vulnerable people, internationally and in Britain, for the poorest in the world and on our own doorstep. WaterAid is dedicated to providing clean, safe drinking water to the world’s poorest people across the world. Helen and Douglas House is a local charity which cares for ill young adults. We are very proud to support such fantastic charities such as these. In addition, we will be helping support the Alzheimer’s Society, Tesco’s registered charity of the year.
Charlie Trzeciak is the Ball’s sponsorship officer, charged with the task of seeking out sponsorship from local and international companies. After many attempts, Charlie has succeeded in gaining sponsorship from Tesco’s, who will provide the Ball with gift boxes to use as prizes on the launch night and at the Ball itself. Not only has this, but a recommendation from such a widely esteemed company shows great confidence in our Ball. In return, we will be helping publicise Tesco’s registered charity of the year, the Alzheimer’s Society, at our events.