Tickets are now available for the John Haynes Foundation Gala Dinner being held in Liverpool in September, an event that honours the memory of a Merseyside business legend. Tony McDonough reports

Tickets are now on sale for the John Haynes Foundation Gala Dinner now a fixed feature of the annual Liverpool business calendar.

Taking place at the Hilton Hotel in Liverpool city centre on Saturday, September 23, the event is a fundraiser that aims to continue the legacy created by John Haynes, founder of the Liverpool Coaching Academy, who died in December 2020.

Last year’s dinner, themed The Greatest Showman, raised an incredible £36,913 for the foundation. This year organisers are hoping to raise even more. The theme of the evening will be The Great Gatsby, recreating the elegance, charm, and grandeur of the ‘roaring twenties’.

John started his working life at 16 a furniture factory in Kirkby and later worked as a salesman for Royal Insurance in Liverpool, working his way up to become regional director.

After setting up the Liverpool Coaching Academy, he coined his personal catchphrase “fly with the eagles”. He went on to inspire a generation of entrepreneurs in Merseyside and farther afield.

He operated as far afield as Australia and the Middle East. John also raised thousands of pounds for a town in Kenya which has been left devastated by a terrorist bomb. John died in December 2020 but left a legacy that will be long remembered.

In 2021, a number of Liverpool city region business people decided to set up the John Haynes Foundation with the aim of continuing his work and “transforming 1m lives”.

Since last year’s Gala Dinner, the John Haynes Foundation has remained steadfast in honouring his legacy and extending its reach.

A highlight of the past year was the presentation of the second Fly with the Eagles award at the Downtown City of Liverpool Business Awards, bestowed upon Conor O’Donovan, the foundation’s chair.

Conor’s exceptional dedication to Liverpool and beyond was recognised, as he continues to develop the foundation’s impact.

The foundation’s collaboration with the City of Liverpool College has flourished under the leadership of principal and chief executive Elaine Bowker. This partnership has produced an array of programmes benefiting students across various disciplines.

Its commitment to coaching has yielded exceptional results, with 89% of participants rating their experience a perfect 10 out of 10. 

These coaching programmes have centred on building confidence, resilience, goal-setting, decision-making, interpersonal skills, and self-awareness.

They aim to empower young individuals to navigate challenges and opportunities with finesse, enhancing their personal, educational, and professional development.

Corporate engagement has also soared, with the foundation delivering its Culture of Excellence programme to Agent Marketing and forging discussions with Robertson Construction and PH Creative.

Outreach also expanded to Care Merseyside, imparting “The John Haynes Way” of coaching to their staff, enriching the delivery of its services. 

And the Foundation’s team took on an Easter Challenge, walking 25km through difficult weather to raise more than £750.

During Pride Month, the Foundation collaborated with Christian Owens of Genderspace to share his inspiring journey as a transgender speaker. 

READ MORE: ‘Why we are proud to honour John Haynes’

Other developments are on the horizon as SLMC-Consulting, led by Sarah-Louise McCartney – a dedicated coach and one of John’s Eagles – takes charge of the John Haynes Foundation marketing endeavours.

With a new website and impactful strategies underway, the foundation’s commitment to expanding its reach remains stronger than ever.

Sending out the invite for this year’s event, organisers say: “Your continued support is deeply appreciated as the foundation strives to uphold John Haynes’ legacy and further its mission of empowering diverse communities. 

To book tickets click here and for sponsorship and table bookings contact the John Haynes Foundation directly via email: fly@johnhaynes.foundation