A charity partnership with a deep personal connection has raised £10,000 to support people living with motor neurone disease (MND).
Worcester-based Ballards, together with its sister companies, chose the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND Association) as its charity of the year in honour of Bal Siyan, a member of Ballards’ digital transformation team who was diagnosed with MND and died towards the end of 2025.
James Syree, CEO of Ballards, said: “Choosing the MND Association as our charity of the year was personal to all of us.
“Bal was a valued colleague and a friend, and we wanted to do something that truly honoured his memory.
“Raising £10,000 is something the whole group – Ballards, Four Squared Recruitment, Cubed Tax and CreativeFolks–can be proud of, and we hope it makes a real difference to the people the MND Association supports every day.”
The team took part in a variety of fundraising challenges.
Two employees completed a gruelling 250-mile cycle ride from Land’s End to Glastonbury, while more than 35 colleagues undertook a 40.87km charity walk across Worcestershire during a heatwave.
Other activities included marathons, long-distance runs, bake sales, book sales, a Christmas raffle, and a Sip & Paint evening.
In addition to supporting the MND Association, the group raised more than £4,000 for the Matt Gallagher Foundation, a charity that provided direct support to Mr Siyan and his family.
Unlike larger research-led organisations, the Matt Gallagher Foundation focuses on making an immediate, practical difference to people living with MND today, whether that’s funding mobility equipment, arranging home adaptations, or helping families create lasting memories together.
The Ballards group charity committee said: “This year has been one we will never forget.
“What started as a way to honour a colleague became something that brought our whole group together.
“Thank you to everyone who walked, cycled, baked, bid, and gave so generously, you made every penny of this possible.”
The fundraising year concluded with a cheque presentation at Ballards’ Worcester office.
To learn more about the MND Association, visit mndassociation.org.
Information about the Matt Gallagher Foundation can be found at mattgallagherfoundation.org.
