Published: 03.09.2026
Ben is calling on the automotive industry to wear a Christmas jumper and send seasonal greetings with the charity’s much-loved Christmas cards this festive season – raising vital funds to support colleagues struggling or in crisis.
Ben’s Christmas Jumper Day is taking place on Friday 11th December, although businesses, teams and individuals can take part any day that month. The concept is simple - sign up, round up colleagues, dig out your best or worst(!) festive knit and donate £3 per person. It’s an easy way to bring some festive fun into the workplace while helping Ben be there for people across the automotive industry when they need support most.
Another way to bring smiles to faces this festive season is by purchasing Ben’s charity Christmas cards. For 37 years, Ben’s Christmas cards have featured the much-loved motoring artwork of renowned automotive artist Richard Wheatland, making them a firm favourite with motoring enthusiasts and collectors alike.
The 2026 Christmas card collection features seven different Richard Wheatland designs, including a stunning new illustration, Winter Service, alongside six popular designs from previous years. Ben is also offering a range of festive gifts, so whether sending cards or gifts to customers, colleagues, friends or family, every purchase helps Ben support automotive people and their families.
Support Ben this Christmas
● Knit together for Ben’s Christmas Jumper Day: click here
● Spread festive cheer by sending Ben’s cards and Christmas gifts: click here
This support matters. Since April this year, Ben has seen a significant increase in demand for its services, highlighting how important this support is for people across the automotive industry. From April to June, Ben recorded that there were 3,463 helpline touchpoints, which was an 8% increase year on year and the charity also delivered 2,050 support interventions, which was a 24% increase year on year.
Behind these figures are people who have reached out for support. As winter approaches, household bills can spiral and many people across the automotive industry will worry about heating their homes, putting food on the table and, for some, even keeping a roof over their heads. For many, the added pressures of Christmas can make an already difficult situation feel even harder.
Funds raised through Ben’s festive fundraising activities will help the charity provide practical, emotional and financial support to people across the automotive industry.
Luke Genevrier-Mallett, Director of Fundraising & Engagement, at Ben, said: “Christmas is the ideal opportunity for our automotive family to come together and have some fun while also making a real difference to people’s lives. Whether you’re wearing a Christmas jumper or sending Ben’s Christmas cards to your customers and loved ones, every bit of support helps us be there for automotive people when they need us most.
“Fundraising is vital for Ben to continue supporting those in our industry who are facing various challenges in life. When someone in our industry is struggling, we want them to know they’re not alone and that they can turn to Ben. So, this Christmas, let’s knit together, spread some cheer and make sure our automotive family knows we’re here.”
Ben is here for the automotive community this Christmas
Ben is reminding everyone across the automotive industry that support is available. If you work, or have worked, in the UK automotive industry and you’re struggling with your health and wellbeing, you don’t have to face it alone. Ben is here to help provide health and wellbeing support for life.
If you need support, contact Ben’s free and confidential helpline on 08081 311 333 or visit www.ben.org.uk/gethelp.
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