The stars came out on Saturday night to celebrate Anthony Nolan’s 20th Daisy Ball held at the Grosvenor House on Park Lane.
One Show journalists, Joe Crowley and Lucy Siegle; comedian Dominic Holland and his son Tom Holland, actor who starred in The Impossible, Homeland actor David Harewood and ex-England cricket captain Andrew Strauss showed their support for the charity by celebrating to save lives.
The 750 guest attending the annual black-tie event is expected to raise over £200,000 which will enable the charity to recruit more bone marrow donors to the registry. It costs £100 to recruit each potential donor on to the register.
Actor David Harewood is on the Anthony Nolan donor registry and donated his stem cells in 2007. He said, ‘I’m a strong supporter of Anthony Nolan. It’s wonderful to be at the Daisy Ball and celebrate the 40th Anniversary.
‘Saving someone else’s life, or giving someone a few more precious years, is not only one of the most charitable things you can ever do – it’s also the most beautiful.’
The night included a stunning three course meal, inspirational real life stories and a surprise performance by American female vocal group The Three Degrees. Spelbound who won Britain’s Got Talent in 2010 thrilled the audience with their amazing acrobatics and another highlight was opera singing brothers Richard and Adam, finalists of Britain’s Got Talent last year.
One Show journalist Joe Crowley said, ‘I’m so pleased to be here and show my support for Anthony Nolan. As you may or may not know, 16 years ago this spring I lost my dad Chris to blood cancer, which is why Anthony Nolan means a great deal to me.
‘He’s certainly in my thoughts tonight and we are going to raise money for Anthony Nolan so they can save more lives. My hope is that one day Anthony Nolan will be able to find a donor for every person with blood cancer.’
Catherine Miles, Director of Fundraising, Anthony Nolan said, ‘Our guests certainly celebrated the night away at the Daisy Ball! All the guests were incredibly generous, and we expect to raise over £200,000 for Anthony Nolan. We really hope to see everyone at next year’s ball on Saturday 16th May 2015.
‘The night held a special significance. It was the 20th Daisy Ball in our 40th Anniversary year so we looked back at the lives we have saved and there is no doubt we have achieved a lot but our aim is still to save the life of everyone who needs a bone marrow transplant .’
Find out more about the Daisy Ball and see all the photos from this year's event.