BEN's Annual Lunch traditionally gives BEN the opportunity to present awards to companies and individuals whose support has been invaluable over the previous year. However, this year's event was cancelled due to financial restrictions so 24 September 2009 saw the BEN Awards ceremony take place at BEN's Town Thorns Care Centre near Rugby. Six trophies were given to individuals and organisations for their efforts and achievements in support of BEN in 2008-2009.

Trade Journal of the Year - presented to the trade journal or publisher who has provided the best coverage and support to BEN over the year.

Nominees:
Car Dealer Magazine have always championed BEN, provided constant support and coverage as well as instigated innovative fundraising campaigns.

Aftermarket have provided continual general coverage, free advertising space and took part in Aftermarket on Tour, raising awareness and significant funds for BEN.

CAT have helped champion BEN through interviews, coverage of events and fundraiser profiles as well as giving vocal editorial support.

Winner: Aftermarket

The Barry Needham Trophy - awarded to the organisation that has worked hardest to increase awareness of BEN over the year.

Nominees:
Chicane, a Marketing and PR Company specialising in the automotive industry, have championed BEN's work, provided PR and Marketing agency services free of charge and supported BEN in reaching out to the trade media.

Haymarket Publishing, who carry BEN ads across all their motoring titles on a free of charge basis.

Unipart Automotive have promoted BEN's services through space in their supplier publication, publicised a number of key events and undertaken company wide awareness raising projects.

Camberley Auto Factors have added the BEN logo to their entire fleet, carried out extensive in house awareness raising and supported Lynwood and the fundraising events held there.

Winner: Chicane

The Henly Cup - awarded to the voluntary group who have had the biggest impact on BEN's work throughout the year.

Nominees:
Royal Holloway University of London have cultivated support for BEN among their students, regularly organise volunteering projects at Lynwood and provide BEN's Head Office with excellent student volunteers who assist in administration and database work.

Enterprise Rent A Car have undertaken repair and landscaping projects at Town Thorns and Lynwood, assisted in setting up the Light a Life event at Town Thorns, contributed many hours to supporting BEN events team, have a team of three BEN Champions who promote BEN internally and made a grant to further volunteering with BEN.

BENfriends visit new and existing beneficiaries and offer emotional support, advice and friendship and support BEN's welfare team. They give up their personal time to help those in need and in 2008-2009 they donated 1,375 hours in visiting and writing reports.

Winner: BENfriends

The National BEN Week Trophy - presented to the most innovative or successful idea during National BEN Week.

Nominees:
Kawasaki Motors UK held an innovative fancy dress day, baby photo competition, swear box and crazy golf competition.

Honda (UK) Limited raised a whopping £2408.82 by holding a dress down day.

Ontime Automotive Limited hosted a fantastic fun day for staff and their families with a traditional hog roast, rock climbing, driving simulator, surf simulator and toilet racing.

Winner: Ontime Automotive Limited

The BEN London Marathon Cup - awarded to the runner whose participation has done the most to further the cause of BEN through awareness or sponsorship.

Nominees:
Mike May raised over £2,700

Toby Poston raised more than £3,300

Simon Dempsey raised over £900

Winner: Toby Poston

The Lynwood Cup - given to the individual volunteer who has contributed most to BEN during the year.

Nominees:
Peter Wilson regularly helps out at Town Thorns, is a regular at shows and exhibitions, participates in delivering pre-retirement talks and acts as a voluntary payroll presenter.

Judith Shaw is a BENfriend and also visits flat residents at Lynwood, is a member of the Lynwood League of Friends working diligently to ensure that Lynwood residents have activities and supports Welfare with general administration.

Cindy Barraclough is a member of the Lynwood League of Friends, provides constant support to the volunteers department and is involved in organising every teaem volunteering project at Lynwood.

Winner: Judith Shaw

To view a slideshow of all the day's winners click on the image below.