A Sparks Spectacular – The Winter Ball
Above and Below: A spectacular evening!
The Sparks Winter Ball was another roaring success at the iconic Camden Roundhouse on Wednesday 6th December with star turns and incredibly generous donations rounding off a great year for the charity at this their flagship event raising money for children’ s medical research.
Winter sparkle and festive spirit descended on the venue as TV presenter and comedian Paddy McGuinness and The Voice’ s Emma Willis led an evening of entertainment which started with a stunning performance from soprano Laura Wright. This was followed by headline act Sophie Ellis-Bextor who sang some of her biggest hits. The evening ended with guests dancing the night away with DJ Emma B on the decks.
Guests were treated to a sumptuous three-course dinner and they had the opportunity to bid on once-in-a-lifetime experiences including an exclusive dinner with international rugby stars Danny Care and Ben Foden, who was there in person to lead the bids. There was a meet and greet with Gabby Logan, at the BBC’ s Sports Personality of the Year, auctioned with the help of her husband rugby legend Kenny Logan, and nights away in some of London’ s most exclusive hotels.
The 200 attendees also heard a moving speech from Jackie Adams, whose son Taylor has Norrie disease. Norrie disease causes blindness in boys at, or soon after, birth and many patients also suffer from progressive hearing loss as well
Hosts Emma Willis and Paddy McGuinness.
as problems with breathing and digestion.
Tim Johnson, Chief Executive of Sparks said:“ On behalf of everyone at Sparks, I want to say a huge thank you to all those who came along tonight to support the charity. You’ re helping to fund pioneering child health research across the UK to help find new treatments and cures for children and families who desperately need them. We can’ t thank you enough.”
Paddy McGuiness said:“ What an amazing evening! It was a real honour to host the Sparks
With entertainment galore.
Winter Ball. I know just how vital the work Sparks Charity does in helping to fund research to help seriously ill children.”
Emma Willis said:“ Hosting the event tonight was such a privilege. Hearing first hand from Jackie really hit home as to how much work and fundraising needs to get done to discover new treatments and cures for children like her son Taylor.”
£ 220,000 was raised on the night.
PETER KERWOOD sparks. org. uk
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