An exclusive smart-dress charity auction at St Mary’s, with Hampshire business leaders, premium prizes and behind-the-scenes access.

Evening Drinks & Charity Auction at St Mary’s Stadium

This November, Skills Hampshire and edoco will bring together 75 business owners, Managing Directors, senior leaders and professionals from across Hampshire for an exclusive evening of networking, drinks and fundraising at St Mary’s Stadium, the home of Southampton Football Club.

This is designed to be far more than a traditional charity auction. Guests will be welcomed into one of Hampshire’s most recognisable sporting venues for a smart dress evening, with the opportunity to meet and network with senior decision-makers from across the county. Interest is already building, with representatives from some of Hampshire’s largest and most established businesses expected to attend alongside ambitious SMEs, local business owners and community leaders.

The setting will be a major part of the experience. Guests will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes at St Mary’s, including pitch-side access, the players’ tunnel and access to the First Team dressing room — areas normally reserved for players, coaches and officials. It creates an opportunity to experience the stadium in a completely different way, with plenty of opportunities for photographs and conversations in surroundings that very few conventional business events can offer.

At the centre of the evening will be a premium charity auction, with the ambition of putting together a genuinely exciting catalogue of prizes rather than the usual collection of smaller raffle items. We are approaching businesses, venues, sporting organisations and experience providers for high-value prizes, exclusive experiences, hospitality, luxury stays, dining experiences, sporting memorabilia, tickets, corporate experiences and money-can’t-normally-buy opportunities. The aim is for the auction itself to become one of the highlights of the evening and give guests the chance to take home something genuinely special.

Most importantly, the evening has a very personal purpose. Funds raised will support Lee, a local man currently undergoing cancer treatment who has had to stop working, alongside Harbour Cancer Support. Part of the money raised will go directly towards helping Lee meet everyday living costs and maintain his standard of living while he is unable to work, with the remainder supporting Harbour Cancer Support and its work with people and families affected by cancer.

Tickets are planned at £40 per person, with attendance intentionally limited to around 75 guests. Keeping the event relatively intimate is important. The goal isn't to fill a huge function room, but to create a room full of relevant people where guests can actually meet, talk and build relationships with one another.

The combination of a smart dress code, carefully selected guest list, high-calibre auction prizes, senior Hampshire business audience and behind-the-scenes access to St Mary’s Stadium is intended to make this a genuinely memorable evening, while ultimately raising as much money as possible for a local cause that really matters.

Description supplied by the event organiser.