The Sick Children’s Trust’s An Afternoon Tea with Anton Du Beke and Friends returned for a spectacular second year, once again bringing glitz, glamour and ballroom brilliance to the InterContinental Hotel in London’s exclusive Park Lane on Tuesday 11 March.
Our wonderful ambassador Anton Du Beke took to the dance floor alongside professional dance partner Rosie Ward – who brought exceptional student dancers Miguel, Alexa, and James along for the occasion – captivating the audience with their dazzling performances. The event was further elevated by the presence of fellow Strictly Come Dancing alumni, including singer Lance Ellington and renowned dancer Vincent Simone, who performed alongside his partner Victoria Martin.
Hosted by esteemed broadcaster and journalist Alice Beer, another cherished ambassador of The Sick Children’s Trust, the afternoon delighted guests with an unforgettable mix of dance and music. Coloratura soprano Christina Johnston, also an ambassador for the charity, showcased her breathtaking vocal talents, adding extra magic to the occasion.
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the event raised almost £55,000 in support of our ten ‘Homes from Home’, which provide a warm and welcoming place to stay for families with a seriously ill child in hospital.
Anton presented an additional cheque of £15,000 to Jane Featherstone, CEO of The Sick Children’s Trust. The gift was a personal donation from Anton, following his recent appearance on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?. After failing to correctly answer the £32,000 question, Anton pledged to donate £15,000 of his own money if he got it wrong. Presenting the cheque, Anton said:
“It is my pleasure to give you this money. I wish it could have been more – if I wasn’t so thick, I could have given you more! It is a wonderful charity, and it is with my absolute pleasure that I am making this donation.”
Jane Featherstone added: “This is the first time a celebrity or contestant has ever done this on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, so we are incredibly lucky to have such a fantastic ambassador in Anton Du Beke. This is going to make such a difference to so many families. Thank you.”
The Sick Children’s Trust would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Anton Du Beke, Alice Beer, Christina Johnston, Lance Ellington, Vincent Simone and Victoria Martin for making this event such a spectacular success. We would also like to extend our thanks to event sponsors Rockahula Kids for their wonderful support, as well as InterContinental London Park Lane, Bird & Blend Tea Co. and Freed of London, whose generosity made this wonderful afternoon possible.
With the continued support of our incredible ambassadors and donors, we can ensure that families with seriously ill children have a warm and welcoming place to stay, close to their child’s hospital bedside.
To see a collection of images from this fabulous event, please click here.
Images courtesy of Philip Moran.
