On 27 November 2025, Brake held its inaugural Rowan Tree Ball to celebrate 30 years of the charity, honour road victims and raise vital funds to support Brake’s work.
The Rowan Tree Ball was hosted by Brake, in partnership with headline sponsor HCC Solicitors, with additional support from law firms Stewarts, Fletchers Solicitors and JMW Solicitors who sponsored the drinks reception, event wine and auction, respectively. Thanks to the generosity of the event sponsors and guests on the night, the event raised an incredible £45,840, which could fund specialist support from Brake caseworkers for 72 families for a month.
More than 120 guests gathered at the Park Regis Hotel in central Birmingham for an evening full of fun, glitz and glamour. As well as enjoying a delicious three-course dinner, guests were entertained by the charm, humour and sleight-of-hand of magician AfroMagic; saw their best sides captured by caricature artist Richard Ellis; and danced the night away to live band Hillwood Boulevard.
Experienced charity host Steve Williams was MC for the night. A former Metropolitan Police Detective and professional comedy impressionist, Steve brought his trademark mix of warmth and wit to the occasion, drumming up real excitement and a little competitive spirit in the live auction! Some of the most popular lots included a Mulberry handbag, a spa day for two at Hoar Cross Hall in Staffordshire, and a luxury stay at Forty Seven Manchester with afternoon tea at 20 Stories. Auction prizes were kindly donated to Brake by Fletchers Solicitors, HCC Solicitors, Irwin Mitchell, JMW Solicitors, Kings Chambers, Motorpoint, Mulberry, Park Regis and Premier Thoroughbred Racing.
Guests also took part in a balloon raffle with all proceeds going to support of Brake’s work. This came to a spectacular climax at the end of dinner as more than 80 guests simultaneously popped their balloons to find out which lucky winners would take home a bottle of prosecco.
For many guests, the standout moment of the night was hearing from Ayeesha (pictured below), who shared her experience of a catastrophic road crash in 2020, which claimed the life of her best friend Saarah. The poignancy of Ayeesha’s words brought home to all present the devastating impact of road crashes on everyone involved, while her moving first-hand account demonstrated how specialist support from a Brake caseworker had really made a difference to Ayeesha’s recovery.
Ayeesha shared her story of being in a road crash, and how Brake supported her.
Learn more about the difference Brake makes supporting road victims at www.brake.org.uk/support.
Ross Moorlock, Brake’s CEO, said: “Our first Rowan Tree Ball was a terrific night of celebration, reflection and fundraising. Thank you to everyone who attended and donated, to our sponsors, our host Steve, and of course to Ayeesha for bravely sharing her story. Fundraising events like the Rowan Tree Ball are a vital source of funding for Brake, helping us to ensure we can continue to support people like Ayeesha who have lost loved ones, or who have suffered life-changing injuries following a road crash.
“The support of our generous guests and sponsors also enables us to continue campaigning for the solutions we know can make a difference to preventing road deaths and injuries and helping make roads safer for everyone. We look forward to making this a regular event in the Brake calendar and hope to see many more joining us next year.”
Guests took part in a balloon raffle to support Brake's work. More than 80 guests simultaneously popped their balloons to find out who would take home a bottle of prosecco.
HCC Solicitors’ CEO Martin James added: “Our team and guests had an amazing time supporting Brake’s 30th anniversary charity ball. It was great to see the legal community and other businesses unite to raise thousands for such an important cause. Supporting Brake’s vital work means a great deal to us and we’re grateful to play a part in their incredible efforts. Hearing Ayeesha share her personal story was a powerful reminder of why the fundraising efforts from events like these are so important for the charity’s work.”
The Rowan tree is known in folklore and mythology as 'the Tree of Life', and for many people it symbolises protection, resilience and hope. Much like the families Brake supports, the Rowan tree stands strong through adversity, so it was a fitting emblem for a night that honoured the strength of those affected by road trauma.
If you would like to find out more about next year’s Rowan Tree Ball and other opportunities to partner with Brake, please contact our friendly team by emailing corporate@brake.org.uk.
A big thank you to our headline sponsor
