Over £12,000 raised by motor trade Suppliers and dealer partners in inaugural OS invitational charity golf day

67 Degrees edges competitive Ryder Cup-style battle 10-6 against Octane Finance in record-breaking fundraising event for Ben

The very first OS Invitational Charity Golf Day at The Dyke Golf Club in Brighton proved to be a resounding success on Wednesday (23rd July), with Team 67 Degrees claiming victory in a thrilling 10-6 win over rivals Octane Finance in a Ryder Cup-style team competition, while raising an incredible £12,510 for Ben.

The eagerly anticipated charity event brought together dealer partners, affiliates, and industry professionals for an unforgettable day of competition while delivering outstanding fundraising results for Ben, which provides health and wellbeing support for everyone who works or has worked in the UK automotive industry.

Victory on the course

Led by Captain Luke Stewart, Team 67 Degrees demonstrated both skill and determination throughout the day-long competition at the prestigious venue, with prime positioning in the picturesque Sussex Downs.

Despite fierce competition from Octane Finance, captained by Daniel Sams, the Brighton-based marketing agency's team maintained their composure in what proved to be a closely fought battle on the fairways.

Record-breaking fundraising success

The event exceeded all expectations, raising a remarkable £12,510 for the charity Ben through a combination of generous corporate donations and creative fundraising activities.

Both companies made sizeable donations to the charity, complemented by on-course fundraising activities including mulligan card sales, a 50/50 raffle and a special auction featuring British Touring Car Championship hospitality tickets to witness British Touring Cars (BTCC) champion Tom Ingram (who also participated in the charity golf day) on the track.

Additional fundraising games were strategically placed throughout the 18-hole course, including a Ben-themed quiz and spin-the-wheel activities, ensuring participants could contribute to the worthy cause while enjoying their hillside round of golf.

Industry support

The event was made possible thanks to generous support from a host of industry sponsors, including Leadly, We Are Fortis, Warrantywise, DealerGen, EnquiryLabs, Phyron AI, We Advertise Any Car, Dealerkit, Codeweavers, APLYiD, wefinanceanycar.com, Autotrader, The Compliance Guys, Haven House Children's Hospice, and Visitor Chat.

Partnership strength

The successful charity golf event further strengthened the established partnership between 67 Degrees and Octane Finance, which began in 2022 with the launch of Octane's bespoke website by the specialist agency. Both companies share aligned values and a commitment to providing exceptional service to their automotive industry clients.

Laura Coleby, founder and CEO of 67 Degrees, commented on the event's success: "What an incredible day! The competitive spirit was fantastic, but the real winner was Ben and the automotive industry community. Raising £12,510 for such a vital cause exceeded all our expectations.

“The OS Invitational perfectly embodies the collaborative spirit that makes our industry so special. It was the ideal opportunity to bring together partners and clients for a cause that supports the people who drive our sector forward."

Dan Horner, Managing Director at Octane Finance, added: "While we may not have lifted the trophy this time, the day was an absolute triumph for everyone involved. The funds raised for Ben will make a real difference to people in our industry, and that's what truly matters. Congratulations to Luke and the 67 Degrees team – they played brilliantly, but we'll be back stronger next year!"

Daniel Sams, Team Octane Finance captain, reflected on the competition: "What a fantastic day of golf and an incredible cause to be part of. Leading the Octane Finance team was a privilege, and while the result didn't go our way, the real victory was bringing our industry together for Ben.

“The competitive spirit was exactly what we hoped for, and I couldn't be prouder of how our team performed. We'll definitely be back to reclaim that trophy!"

Luke Stewart, Team 67 Degrees captain, said: "Leading the team to victory was an honour, but seeing the automotive community come together for such an important cause was the real highlight. The standard of golf was exceptional, the competition was fierce, and the camaraderie was outstanding. We're already looking forward to defending our title next year!"

Ellen Plumer, Head of Awareness & Experience at Ben, who attended the event, praised the support received at the charity golf day: "It was wonderful to be part of such a successful day and to witness firsthand the incredible generosity of those who attended.

“Raising £12,510 through the OS Invitational is absolutely incredible and will directly change people's lives, helping them navigate challenges with their mental health, physical wellbeing, and financial difficulties.

“Events like this are vital in helping us continue our mission to provide support for life for automotive workers and their families when they need it most. Together, we will support people in our industry when they face life’s toughest challenges. We're incredibly grateful to both 67 Degrees and Octane Finance for choosing Ben as their official charity partner."

Looking ahead

The success of the inaugural OS Invitational Charity Golf Day establishes it as what promises to become an annual fixture in the automotive industry calendar, combining competitive golf with meaningful charitable fundraising.

ENDS