Civil and structural engineering firm, Sutcliffe, will host its annual charity ball at the Titanic Hotel’s Rum Warehouse on 25 April, with the aim of raising over £75,000 for three local charities including Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, Liverpool Women’s Hospital Charity and University Hospitals of Liverpool Charity.

Building on the success of last year’s event, Sutcliffe’s goal is to surpass £65,000 by raising over £75,000 for three local charities that are changing lives across Liverpool. This year’s ball takes on greater significance due to a personal connection with the Sutcliffe team.

Communications Director, Jacqui Johnson, who played a key role in organising the 2024 ball, received a life-changing diagnosis of breast cancer just five days after attending the event. Since then, Jacqui has faced her diagnosis with immense courage, undergoing three critical surgeries including a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Jacqui’s final treatment date is poignantly scheduled for just five days after this year’s ball.

This year, £25,000 will support Clatterbridge Cancer Charity. As comfort and dignity are paramount during treatment, donations will help fund essential medical equipment such as the ongoing provision of radiotherapy bras to ensure consistent positioning during treatment, while minimising discomfort and skin irritation, alongside raising funds for a Paxman Scalp Cooling Machine, costing around £15,000, which help reduce hair loss during chemotherapy, a simple, yet powerful way to restore confidence and hope in patients undergoing cancer treatment.

The Liverpool Women’s Hospital Charity will benefit from an additional £25,000 to advance neonatal research and support. The Liverpool Women’s Hospital cares for some of the region’s most vulnerable newborns. Funds raised will support groundbreaking neonatal research, including MRI brain scans, nutritional supplementation, and family-centred care initiatives. Donations will also go towards purchasing a Philips MR Patient Care Portal 5000 monitor (£12,000), home from home accommodation for families (£15,000 annually), heartbeat bears for every baby (£12,000 annually), and breast milk warmers (£1,000 per unit), each providing essential comfort and care for families during unimaginably difficult times.

Breast cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, accounting for 15% of all new cancer cases, with Liverpool recording breast cancer rates 8% higher than the national average. This year’s ball will help launch the University Hospitals of Liverpool’s Breast Cancer Appeal, supporting projects at Aintree, Broadgreen and Royal Liverpool Hospitals. Funds will contribute towards purchasing a new mammography machine with 3D tomosynthesis capability and contrast-enhanced mammography equipment, totalling £343,000. This investment will help reduce wait times for biopsies and diagnostics, improve accuracy, and ensure more compassionate care for patients across the region.

Sutcliffe’s longstanding commitment to the healthcare sector is evident in its extensive portfolio, having worked on projects across the North West including the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, a new state-of-the-art mental health facility at Mossley Hill Hospital, The Christie Hospital, Countess of Chester Hospital, Stepping Hill Hospital, Leigh Infirmary and many more, such as Arrowe Park Hospital, Liverpool Tropical School of Medicine, and the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital.

As the city comes together under one roof in support of the three chosen charities, Sutcliffe is hopeful that this year’s ball will not only exceed its fundraising goal but also shine a light on the vital work being done by these life-changing charities and the hospitals they support.

Austin Wilkinson Demolition is the headline sponsor of the evening, with further sponsors being Layer Surveys, Butterworth Spengler, Graham Construction, Titanic Hotel Liverpool, Tilbury Douglas Construction, Tilbury Douglas Engineering, Seddon Construction, John McCall Architects.

Jacqui Johnson, Communications Director, Sutcliffe, said:

“My journey has been incredibly tough, but I’ve been fortunate enough to have the support of our amazing NHS. The care I’ve received at Clatterbridge and the breast clinic at Aintree has been nothing short of first-class, which is why it’s so important that we raise as much money as we can for these incredible organisations. I truly wouldn’t have made it through without their care – and without the love and support of my partner Ste, family, friends and the whole team at Sutcliffe. This time last year, I was sitting in the audience at the ball, unaware that just 5 days later I’d be diagnosed with breast cancer. So, it’s a powerful reminder of how life can change in an instant and how we need to give back now more than ever.”

Sean Keyes, CEO, Sutcliffe, said:

“With the goal of raising funds for three outstanding charities that make a significant difference in our city, the Sutcliffe charity ball is our heartfelt way of saying thank you to the NHS and giving back to our wonderful organisations that have positively impacted millions of lives over the years. I hope that those attending on the night, as well as those reading this will be able to dig deep and help us better last year’s total and reach our target of £75,000.”

Katrina Bury, Chief Executive at Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, said:

“A huge thank you to everyone at Sutcliffe for choosing our Charity as one of the beneficiaries of their annual ball. We know how much hard work and dedication has gone into making the event such a big success, so we are honoured to be chosen. The generous attendees on the night, and everyone at Sutcliffe, will be helping Clatterbridge Cancer Charity support the one in two people in our region with cancer. The Charity is dedicated to patients at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, the excellent treatment provided at its centres in Liverpool, Wirral and Aintree and at its network of chemotherapy clinics in the region, funding key enhancements to care and research and making a real difference to patients. We hope everyone has a great night at the ball and thank them for supporting our Charity.”

Susan O’Neil, Head of Neonatal Services at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone supporting the Sutcliffe Ball. The funds raised will make a real difference to our neonatal unit, helping us provide the very best care for our tiniest and most vulnerable patients. Your generosity helps us go beyond what the NHS can fund, supporting families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives”

Geraldine Mitchell, Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon and Deputy Medical Director for Surgery Royal Liverpool Hospital, said:

“We are thrilled that at this year’s ball, Sutcliffe is supporting The Breast Service teams at Aintree, Broadgreen and Royal Liverpool Hospitals in launching our Breast Cancer Appeal. We have an ambition to provide cutting-edge breast cancer care for all patients – supporting faster diagnosis, rapid access to treatment – including precision surgery – and comprehensive wraparound care from diagnosis to discharge. The teams want all patients to have access to up to date, excellent quality of care, regardless of their circumstances. Investing in a new 3D tomosynthesis mammography machine with Contrast Enhanced Mammography is a game-changer. It enables faster reporting, same-day biopsies, and a less claustrophobic experience but just as importantly, it helps us to exclude cancer more quickly and reassure patients with normal results, reducing anxiety and uncertainty. We are so grateful that they are by our side for this exciting appeal.”

For more information about Sutcliffe’s charity ball and to donate, visit the Just Giving page for Liverpool Women’s Hospital Charity, University Hospitals of Liverpool Charity and Clatterbridge Cancer Charity.

For more information about Sutcliffe, visit the website, and on social media – Facebook and LinkedIn.