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Strictly Come Dancing stars wow guests at ball

19 September 2011

 

Celebrity dancers impressed guests at our fourth Forget me not Ball with their talents and helped raise a record £30,500 for patient care.

Strictly Come Dancing stars James and Ola Jordan performed four dazzling routines – samba, rumba, paso doble and the cha cha cha - and invited questions from guests.

Following their performance James said: “We were pleased to support the hospice as we are massive charity supporters. It seemed like a brilliant evening and walking around talking to guests I saw how they had been touched by the speeches and the charity’s work.”

Actress and supporter Cathy Murphy, actor Marc Bannerman and the Mayor of Havering Cllr Melvin Wallace were amongst the 300 guests at the glittering occasion at Orsett Hall, Thurrock, on Saturday, September 17th.

In addition to the dancing guests were treated to a delicious three course meal, disco, performance by singer Josh Dubovie and could try their luck at rolling seven 6’s to win a Mini.

There was also an auction, which saw guests bidding for lots including two VIP Rihanna tickets, a chance to see The One Show being filmed and meet the presenters, and a staggering £2,800 was raised for two private dance lessons for two kindly donated by James and Ola.

Cathy Murphy, aka Julie Perkins from EastEnders, whose mum Catherine was cared for by Saint Francis Hospice 13 years ago, said: “It was a really moving, but warm and wonderful evening. It made me think about my mother and the amount of love Saint Francis gives other people in the same situation that me, my sister Elaine and my father were in when my mum was a patient.”

Nettie and her son Danny Keene shared their hospice experience with guests as Saul, Danny’s brother received care before he died from a brain tumour in June 2008.

Danny said: “It was an amazing evening and was wonderful to see the hospice supported by so many people. When Saul came to the hospice after a seizure and stay in hospital he was still active, but unable to speak and communicate properly, which was frustrating for him. The hospice staff were very patient with Saul and didn’t try to hurry him when trying to speak and also let him do as much as he could on his own, which mum and I thought was very caring and understanding.

“The hospice also respected our Jewish customs after Saul had died – allowing someone to stay with Saul until his body was collected and helping us arrange his funeral for within 48 hours by contacting a registrar for a death certificate – even though it was a weekend and the Jewish Sabbath day.”

Event organiser Elizabeth Palfreman said: “Glitz and glamour were the order of the night and I’m absolutely delighted that the ball was a success and everyone had a great time. Thank you to all who supported the event, including our special guests James and Ola with their fantastic footwork and time spent with guests.
The £30,500 raised could pay for about two days running costs so local people affected by a life-limiting illness can receive the vital care they need.” 
 

For a selection of photos see our gallery page.

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