Peaky Blinders provide novel fundraising approach

Homeless charity set to benefit from student initiative.

Birmingham City University-based Connect Events is hosting a Peaky Blinders Charity Evening in support of the local homeless charity, St Basils on the 3rd March, at The Vaults in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.

With a combination of gangsters and glamour, it promises to be a blinder of an event, recreating the atmosphere of the 1920s. The evening will include a themed fashion show, signature cocktails, unique auction prizes and raffle, live music, horse betting, a photo booth and for the brave, tarot card readings. As the event runs from 9pm until 2am there is plenty of time for guests to experience it all, with the entry price at £6.

Taking a step back in time to Birmingham in the 1920s, the Peaky Blinder theme pays homage to the gangster lifestyle of the Shelby family. The success of the series has raised the profile of the city and its history. The Charity Evening will pay tribute to the series as fans impatiently wait for series four, set to be released later this year.

Barrie Hodge, Head of Fundraising and Communications at St Basils, says of the evening, “We are delighted that Connect events are fundraising for us. The money raised from their event will be spent on making sure young people are safe and secure in the West Midlands and have everything they need to break the cycle of homelessness. Thank you to them for all their hard work.”

St Basils works with vulnerable young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, helping over 5,000 young people per year across the West Midlands. The work they do is vital and is currently threatened by recent plans announced by Birmingham City Council to cut funding from their Supporting People Budget. It is more important now than ever, to raise funds to help support such an incredible charity.

Connect Events is a group of seven Fashion Business and Promotion students from Birmingham City University. As part of the second year of their course, they have been tasked with hosting this event and fundraising from a zero budget. Birmingham City University awarded an Honorary Doctorate to the writer of Peaky Blinders, Steven Knight, in 2016 in recognition of his achievements.

“This is a respectable event and we will all behave accordingly.” – Tommy Shelby, Peaky Blinders

Ticket are available here