"ABF has been providing physical, emotional and financial support to these individuals and their families since 1944."
Tim Mercer
The inaugural four-hour tech showcase will take place at Aspire, Leeds, on Thursday 19 October, offering business and IT professionals the opportunity to experience the newest innovations that are set to transform the sector.
But the industry-first event will also encourage its 300 delegates to dig deep in support of ABF – a not-for-profit organisation that provides lifetime support to Army soldiers, veterans and their immediate families.
A silent auction and raffle will be just some of the fundraising activities on the agenda that evening. And every penny raised at the event will go to the cause very close to founder Tim Mercer’s heart.
Elaborating on his reasons for choosing this charity, Tim, also CEO of Vapour Cloud, said: “Having served in the Forces myself I know personally how impactful periods of conflict can be on soldiers’ lives. But ABF has been providing physical, emotional and financial support to these individuals and their families since 1944.
“In 2016-17 their oldest beneficiary was 105 and the youngest only nine months. They spent a staggering £9.2m in that one year alone and, in total, they’ve helped 75,000 people in 59 countries worldwide. I look forward to seeing what difference we can make, at our event.”
The selection of ABF is perhaps doubly relevant given the keynote speaker at the Innovation & Disruption event is former Special Forces hero Ant Middleton, now a familiar face on Channel 4’s SAS Who Dares Wins.
His leadership talk has proven a huge pull, with 70% of tickets already gone.
Sponsored by Vapour Cloud, Pure Technology Group, Alphadigital, Seneca Capital, Freeths Solicitors, Spearhead Interactive VR, Data Shepherd and Ward Hadaway Solicitors, the Innovation & Disruption event will take place from 16:00-20:00 on Thursday 19 October. It is free to attend – and food and drink will be provided throughout – but pre-registration via Eventbrite is essential.
