Steve Hawkins Honoured and John Bollom named Charitable Trust Chairman

Industry stalwart John Bollom, who completed a notable two-year stint as Bacta President in July, has been named Chairman of the Bacta Charitable Trust (BCT). John succeeds Steve Hawkins who has served the BCT since the passing of the late, great Jimmy Thomas. During Steve’s tenure the Trust raised tens of thousands of pounds for good causes.

Reflecting on Steve Hawkins’ contribution to the BCT John Bollom said: “I would like to place on the record Bacta’s sincere thanks to Steve for the energy and commitment he has brought to his period as Chairman. As anyone who has seen him in action at events such as the Bacta Summer Ball will testify he has a unique and compelling way of generating funds and has established wonderful connections and relationships with our supported charities not least with Rays of Sunshine to which Bacta and its members have donated not far short of £900,000.  I am delighted that Steve will continue to organise the Bacta Golf Day an event which represents a ‘must attend’ for the many industry golfers.”

He Continued: “The Bacta Charitable Trust was established in 1991 under the leadership of Sonia Meaden OBE. It had two core objectives which were to firstly raise money for charitable organisations and as an outcome of those activities and where appropriate to engage with stakeholders including policy makers and politicians.

The first charity to be adopted by the BCT was the Prince’s Trust – now the Kings Trust – which helps young people from disadvantaged communities to secure employment or launch a business. In the three decades that it has been in existence the Trust has partnered a wide range of good causes including Macmillan Cancer Support, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, British Institute for Brain Injured Children and the RNID as well as supporting the endeavours of individual members and their frequently very personal projects and the good causes that are close to their heart.

Looking ahead to his period helping to guide the work of the Trust, John Bollom said: “The industry has a formidable track record for supporting charities of all sizes. The charity sector has been hard hit by the cost-of-living crisis and it’s more important than ever that we continue to generate the funds which enable organisations such as Rays-of-Sunshine and Little Lifts to continue their invaluable work.”

At the bacta awards ceremony held on the first evening of the show, a special thank you award was given to Steve by Joseph Cullis and John Bollom. Steve spoke of the work he has done organising the bacta golf day over the years and the succesful bacta summer ball. He also mentioned how profitable the cooperation with Whitehouse leisure has been. 

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15 January 2026

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