The Miracle Ball 2008
14 October 2008
The Dorchester Hotel, London
Patron: Miss Natasha Kaplinsky
Auctioneer: Mike Osman
This year's Miracle Ball was another huge success and, despite a global credit crunch in full swing, everyone seemed to really let their hair down and enjoy themselves.
The evening kicked off with a champagne reception, where guests had the chance to win a 'Diamond in the Rough' - a £2,000 uncut diamond, kindly donated by Richard Hilton.
Once seated, Mike Osman, our wonderful auctioneer for the evening, got everyone back onto their feet for a game of Knives, Forks & Spoons - which saw one guest win a £14,000 diamond-encrusted Chopard watch.
Our patron Natasha Kaplinsky left her two week old baby at home to jump in a cab across London and give a powerful speech about the vital work of the Save the Baby Unit and urge people to dig deep and support this extremely worthy cause. She then dashed home for the next feed as the silent auction and main auction had the room buzzing with excitement as prizes as varied as a golfing day with Gabby & Kenny Logan, two week's work experience at Capital Radio and 'Be a Pop Star for a Day' were up for grabs.
'Opera on the Run' surprised guests when three waiters suddenly broke into song and entertained everyone with some beautiful and moving opera. The Dark Blues also had the young at heart dancing until 1.30am, when the last few guests stubbled out of the hotel.
The evening was a huge success and raised a fantastic £75,000 for the charity which, in the current unstable financial climate, proved that people feel very strongly about supporting Professor Lesley Regan and the Save the Baby Unit. Our thanks go to everyone who made it possible - the organising team, the prize donors and all the guests and bidders whose goodwill and generosity ensured that we all enjoyed such a memorable and fun night out.
Miracle Ball 2007
The Miracle Ball lived up to its name helping to raise more than £100,000 for the charity. The ball, which was held at the Dorchester Hotel London on October 3rd 2007, proved to be a sparkling night, and saw more than 400 revellers enjoy a champagne reception, a delicious three-course dinner, a thrilling auction and dancing to the Dark Blues band, which went on into the small hours.
Highlights of the night included the Gemstone Treasure Hunt which saw guests vie for the chance to win two magnificent jewels – a 4 carat sapphire and a 4 carat ruby - kindly donated by Richard Hilton.
During the evening, our patron Natasha Kaplinsky and Professor Lesley Regan both made powerful speeches about the work of the charity. And then Sir Matthew Pinsent introduced John Itsegwede – a very proud father – who moved the room to tears with his extraordinary tale of losing two children to stillbirth, before he and his wife Priscilla met Professor Lesley Regan and were successful graduates of the miscarriage clinic at St Mary’s Hospital, London.
The Silent auction during dinner caused much amusement and occasional panic as comedian Ben Miller – our Silent Auctioneer – exhorted guests to bid more and more wildly for the lots available. Work experience at EEve magazine went for more than £2,500 and a holiday to Libya, £6,000.
After dinner, Andrew Mc Vinish our Christies Auctioneer really fired the room up as guests bid spectacular amounts for equally spectacular prizes. A Grand Prix experience opened the auction and was sold for £6,000. And stunning David Morris 18carat white gold rose cut diamomd earrings fetched the sum of £6,500.
The final excitement came when Natasha Kaplinsky drew two winning raffle tickets that rewarded 2 lucky guests with a holiday to the Ice hotel in Lapland and a tanzanite necklace respectively.
The evening was a huge success and raised the magnificent total of £100,000 for the Save the Baby Unit £1 million Appeal. Our thanks go to everyone who made it possible - the organising team, the sponsors and prize donors and all the guests and bidders whose goodwill and generosity ensured that we all enjoyed such a memorable and fun night out.
You may click on the photo above to enlarge it.
From 12 o'clock clockwise: Sir Matthew Pinsent, Dr Francesca Cordeira (Mrs Persaud), Dr Raj Persaud, Professor Lesley Regan, Mr John Itsagwede, Ms Niki Tibbles, Mr Ben Miller, Dr Lizzie Owen, Mr David Cohen, Dr Deborah Cunningham, Professor John Summerfield, Miss Betty Jackson.
Tables of 12 are available for £2,000 and include :
- A champagne reception in the beautiful Gold Room, where there will be a chance to win an uncut diamond which can then be cut to the size and shape of your choice and set in a beautiful piece of jewellery
- A sumptuous 4-course dinner with wine will be served in the Ballroom Suite, where the charity’s patron Natasha Kaplinsky will welcome guests and comedian Mike Osman will kick off the evening with a game of Knives, Forks & Spoons !
- A silent auction will be run during dinner and a live auction held after dinner
- Entertainment will be provided by The Dark Blues and, for the young at heart, dancing until 1.30am
Please put the date in your diary and we very much look forward to you joining us for what will be a dazzling, glitzy evening-to-remember.
|
