2006
Archant London Press Ball spectacular
boosts
Help A London Child
A HOST of TV, radio and sports stars have helped Archant, publishers of 40
local newspapers across London, raise more than £40,000 for needy children
in London.
They joined more than 600 guests at a spectacularly themed Ice Ball held
at The Brewery in Chiswell Street, just a stone's throw from the capital's
Barbican Theatre.
The glittering guest list included Big Brother stars Aisleyne, Susie, Jayne,
Vanessa Nimmo and Makowsi, Olympic hero Linford Christie, TV presenter Vanessa
Feltz, EastEnders actor Chris Parker and Lock Stock star Nick Moran.
The aim of the night, organised in conjunction with Capital Radio, was to
raise money for Help a London Child.
And thanks to the generosity of those who attended, a fantastic £45,000 was
collected which will go towards London's less-advantaged children and young
people.
The event, which attracted the attention of the national media and celebrity
magazine OK!, was generously sponsored by London estate agents Green & Co,
Clerkenwell-based Urban Spaces, experts in the buying and selling of lofts
and unusual contemporary design spaces and Home (Green & Co) - a concept
store in Belsize Park.
The Brewery was transformed into a breathtaking winter wonderland courtesy
of event organisers Entire Affair, who came up with the ice theme.
And entertainment was provided by chart newcomer Keisha White, who was followed
on stage by the legendary Tony Hadley, of Spandau Ballet fame.
A huge chunk of the £45,000 was raised during a fund-raising auction, which
was sponsored by Philip Green and Mo Murr of Goldschmidt and Howland.
Host Margherita Taylor, patron of Help a London Child and a Capital Radio
DJ, persuaded several generous guests to part with thousands of pounds for
prizes which included theatre and concert tickets, a seven-day holiday to Tenerife,
VIP days at Upton Park, The Valley and White Hart Lane and a visit to a luxury
spa.
And one lucky party-goer went home with a £1,500 diamond in their pocket
after paying just £25 for a chance to win the precious jewel in the bottom
of a glass of Champagne, kindly donated by Gassan Diamond.
Enzo Testa, managing director of Archant London, said: "This is the first
fund-raising press ball we have organised for Help a London Child, and it exceeded
all of our expectations.
"I was overwhelmed by the generosity of our guests and thanks to them, we
burst through our £40,000 target.
"It was a fantastic night for everyone and we're already looking forward
to making next year's even bigger and better."