News - London Ball tops half a million

The annual fundraising event, under the theme of H2O - The Element of Life, took place on 17 November at the Room by the River in London.

During an eventful evening auction, an Alexander McQueen Novak handbag sold for £36,000 and a Harley Davidson Screamin' Eagle Fat Boy motorbike brought in £75,000.

Guests also stumped up for three new Red Cross ambulances, worth £45,000 each.

Guests who attended the event included Red Cross vice presidents Angela Rippon and Anthony Andrews, along with celebrity supporters Michael Buerk, Dr David Bull and Konnie Huq.

Also adding to the glamour were football legend Ian Wright, weather presenter Sian Lloyd and reality TV star Rebecca Loos.

Following dinner, guests danced the night away to Abba tribute band Bjorn Again. One guest was so taken with the evening that he left a £100,000 donation as he left.

Paul Marvell, head of major donors and events, said: “The Red Cross Ball has been a fantastic success. We are delighted with the generosity of our guests and the event itself was great fun. The money raised will make a real difference in supporting our work to help people in crisis in the UK and overseas.”