Stars To Attend Coma Patient's Gala

July 4, 2008 by Tim Saunders

A gala to raise funds for charity in the name of a 17-year-old British coma patient will take place this Saturday.

Sophie Wilkinson has been in a coma since she was involved in a car accident last October, and her plight has attracted a wide range of celebrities to step forth and help raise the funds needed to provide her with care. Earlier this year her parents set up the Sophie’s Gift Fundraising Program on behalf of the Southampton Hospital Trust to raise the £250,000 (US$500,000) needed to provide Sophie with a Mobile CT Scanner. As well as receiving a video and words of encouragement from Johnny Depp, Sophie has also got support from the likes of Sharon Osbourne, Top Gear’s Richard Hammond, and Chris Tarrant.

Sophie’s parents, Andrew and Alison Wilkinson, have also established a database of celebrity voices to help wake up other coma patients. Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and Amanda Holden are just some of the names who have already committed to the initiative.

The Sophie’s Gift Gala Dinner will take place on the 5th July at the Macdonald Botley Park Hotel, with proceeds to go to the Southampton Hospital Charity. Tickets are still available from www.sophies-gift.com for £65 each. Attendees can expect live entertainment and a spectacular auction and gala dinner, with several celebrities – such as Chris Tarrant and Mike Osman – scheduled to make an appearance.

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