How Tabitha’s Lunch with a Purpose raised £11,000 –

Miss Lancashire, Tabitha Bennett, has proven that pageantry can be a powerful platform for meaningful change.

Through her inspiring Beauty with a Purpose initiative, Tabitha organised a Lunch With A Purpose charity luncheon that raised an incredible £11,000, earning her the title of the Miss England Beauty with a Purpose Top Fundraiser and fast-tracking her into the Top 12 at Miss England, where she went on to finish as 4th Runner-Up in the national final.

Tabitha’s journey into pageantry was shaped by shared ambition and friendship. After attending pageants with her mum, she met like-minded women she loved spending time with. When her best friend entered Miss Wales, the pair dreamed of winning their respective titles and representing their countries together on the Miss World stage — a goal that fuelled Tabitha’s determination to make a real impact.

The idea for Lunch With A Purpose came naturally. Held at Victors, a venue in Hale close to Tabitha’s heart and community, the luncheon took place in the town where she lives. Having attended similar events there for years, Tabitha knew it was the perfect setting to host around 90 guests — intimate, stylish, and welcoming.

The event was held in loving memory of Tabitha’s dear friend Carol, who passed away two years ago. During Carol’s illness, she received comfort and support from Maggie’s, a charity that provides tranquil spaces and compassionate care for people living with cancer. After visiting the centre and witnessing its impact first-hand, Tabitha knew she wanted to donate a percentage of the proceeds to Maggie’s as a way of giving back.

 

Tabitha planned the entire day herself — from securing the venue to organising a live singer, auction, raffle, and photo booth. She set clear ticket targets and worked tirelessly to reach them, determined to make the event a success. “I always had the £10,000 goal in my head,” Tabitha explains. “It was something I really wanted to achieve, and I stayed optimistic.”  Raising £11,000 at the very first event exceeded all expectations and left her overwhelmed by the generosity of guests and local businesses, both big and small.

The luncheon was made even more special thanks to generous sponsors. Pomelle provided a welcome drink for every guest, Mii Cosmetics donated beautiful products for the gift bags, and Selfie Booth UK contributed an auction prize while also capturing unforgettable moments from the day including a £400 donation from Dots Frocks.

 

Tabitha is quick to credit her support network. Her mum Vicky and godmother Jemma were “absolutely phenomenal,” helping to secure over 100 raffle prizes and promote the event across all platforms. Her best friend Ilona also played a key role, assisting with raffle donations and creating the seating plan.

“I couldn’t have done it without them,” Tabitha says. “Their effort was incredible.”

Tabitha’s advice to others is heartfelt and practical:

“Think of everyone you know and how they might help, even in a small way. People are so generous. Be optimistic, but also realistic about what you can raise.”

There’s no doubt Lunch With A Purpose is here to stay. Tabitha is committed to making it an annual event, with ambitions to raise even more money next year. She will also continue developing her platform ‘Think Before You Type’, with hopes of speaking in schools to educate young people about online safety and responsible digital behaviour.

As a gesture for her incredible fundraising efforts , proceeds from the Miss England final Raffle are being donated to Maggie’s place and organisers are hoping for further support from the Beauty with a Purpose charity in the new year.

For now, Tabitha has no plans to compete again in the future — but her impact through Beauty with a Purpose has already left a lasting legacy, showing how compassion, community, and commitment can truly change lives.