12:00, 18 September 2025
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
On Thursday, 11th September 2025, BGC Group hosted its 20th annual Charity Day, marking two decades of fundraising in memory of the colleagues lost in the 9/11 attacks. Over the years, the event has become an essential part of BGC’s commitment to honouring their memory while raising millions for charitable causes.
The event saw dozens of high-profile figures from sport, film, music, and television join brokers on the trading floor at BGC's London headquarters. Celebrities like Hugh Grant, Anthony Joshua, Amanda Holden, and Sir Gareth Southgate were among those who stepped in to help raise funds for some of the world’s most deserving charities. Since its inception, Charity Day has raised over $220 million globally, benefiting hundreds of organisations across a broad spectrum of causes.
Reflecting on the origins of the event, BGC Group’s Co-CEO, Sean Windeatt, shared: “All of the revenue, not the profit, all of the revenue we generate today, we give to charity. We’ve raised $220 million since the start of Charity Day. But for those who don't know, 24 years ago, we had the offices in the World Trade Centre, and we lost 658 people that day. So, we created Charity Day to give something back to hundreds, thousands of charities around the world.”
Initially, celebrity ambassadors would come for just 10 minutes, feeling a little nervous, unsure of how they could make an impact. But over the years, they quickly realised the energy and excitement of the day. The more business they generated, the more money they helped raise for their chosen charities. This synergy has made Charity Day an extraordinary celebration of philanthropy, showing that with the right spirit, incredible things can be achieved.
In addition to the financial impact, the day serves as a powerful tribute to the 658 lives lost. BGC’s parent company, Cantor Fitzgerald, had offices on four floors of the North Tower of the World Trade Center and lost more employees than any other organisation. This tragic loss was the catalyst for the creation of Charity Day—a way for the company to give back, support charitable causes, and keep the memory of their colleagues alive.
Through the years, Charity Day has grown into a global event, with celebrity ambassadors, clients, and brokers all coming together to make a difference. The commitment remains clear: 100% of the revenue raised on the day, including all broker commissions, goes directly to charity.
Charity Day 2025 was no different, with the event raising significant funds for causes such as Help for Heroes, Action Medical Research, Laureus Sport for Good, and many others. As always, the success of the day was not only measured in money raised but in the lasting impact it would have on the charities that benefit from it.
BGC’s Charity Day has come a long way since its inception, evolving from a simple gesture of remembrance into a powerful global event that continues to change lives. As BGC celebrated 20 years of giving back, it also reaffirmed its commitment to a brighter, more generous future.
