Oh what a night: Action for Children's Starry Night Gala
Last month, Action for Children’s first-ever Starry Night gala took place at the stunning Battersea Arts Centre. Raising over £150,000 (and counting!) for vulnerable children across the UK.
Our star-studded gala was a night to remember with famous attendees including the evening's host, Kate Thornton, This Morning presenter, Alison Hammond, a delicious three-course dinner by UK’s top luxury caterer, Jimmy Garcia. And incredible performances, from the likes of West End Kids and our very own Young Carers Aloud choir, led by celebrity vocal coach Charlotte Church.
Alison Hammond backstage with Young Carers Aloud. Photo credit: The Other Richard
We also heard some moving speeches from our Trustee, Markus Ruetimann, CEO Paul Carberry, and an extra special letter from our Royal Patron, HRH Princess of Wales, read out by our Managing Director of Fundraising, Communication and Policy, Locks Farmer.
Paul Carberry, Action for Children's CEO. Photo credit: The Other Richard
Starry Night was an incredible evening, the perfect beginning to the season’s festivities and it will have such an impact on the children and young people we support.
Locks Farmer, Managing Director, Fundraising, Communication and Policy
Locks Farmer, Managing Director, Fundraising, Communication and Policy. Photo credit: The Other Richard
Our Young Carers Aloud choir put on the show of a lifetime at Starry Night! Featuring a compilation of songs including 'Pure imagination' by Gene Wilder and 'Running up that hill' by Kate Bush, the choir received multiple standing ovations. Not only that, the next day they headed off to This Morning studios for a moving rendition of 'It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas' that had Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary in tears.
Young Carers Aloud choir with Charlotte Church. Photo credit: The Other Richard
Jimmy Garcia's luxury catering team were joined by young people from our Employability Service in Scotland. This service aims to provide support to young people who are furthest removed from the employment market. The group travelled all the way to London to put their hospitality skills into practice with table hosting and catering on the night.
Hospitality team at Starry Night. Photo credit: The Other Richard
Starry Night welcomed over 250 special guests, including This Morning host, Alison Hammond; former Olympic javelin thrower and Action for Children Ambassador Fatima Whitbread MBE, Gavin & Stacey’s Larry Lamb, Ronnie Archer-Morgan, Neil Jones, Kelsey Parker and Laura Anderson. BBC’s Bargain Hunt expert, Thomas Forrester, led the evening’s Live Auction, with six fantastic prizes including a Champagne Afternoon Tea experience at The Ritz London with Action for Children Ambassador, Angela Rippon.
Overall it was an incredible event that came together after months of hard work, all in aid of raising vital funds for vulnerable children and young people across the UK.
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