By Richard Barker on
Caudwell Children hosted a star-studded Butterfly Ball at Battersea Evolution on Thursday, May 14th, which raised a record breaking £1.7 million ($2.58 million) for the charity.
Numerous celebrities attended the event including Rachel Stevens and Elizabeth Hurley, and Rod Stewart performed some of his greatest hits during an hour-long set.
![Elizabeth Hurley at the 2009 Butterfly Ball Elizabeth Hurley at the 2009 Butterfly Ball](https://www.looktothestars.org/photo/2619-elizabeth-hurley-at-the-2009-butterfly-ball/story_wide-1402922992.jpg)
Credit/Copyright: Richard Barker
Elizabeth Hurley
![John Caudwell and his partner Claire Johnson at the 2009 Butterfly Ball John Caudwell and his partner Claire Johnson at the 2009 Butterfly Ball](https://www.looktothestars.org/photo/2622-john-caudwell-and-his-partner-claire-johnson-at-the-2009-butterfly-ball/story_wide-1402834808.jpg)
Credit/Copyright: Richard Barker
Founder John Caudwell and his partner Claire Johnson
![Emma Noble Emma Noble](https://www.looktothestars.org/photo/2618-emma-noble/story_wide-1402666153.jpg)
Credit/Copyright: Richard Barker
Actress, model Emma Noble
Famous guests paid thousands of pounds in a “Destination Dreams” auction, with the money going to fund holidays for sick and disabled children and their families.
![Tilly Griffiths, Child Ambassador for Caudwell Children and her sister Candice Tilly Griffiths, Child Ambassador for Caudwell Children and her sister Candice](https://www.looktothestars.org/photo/2617-tilly-griffiths-child-ambassador-for-caudwell-children-and-her-sister-candice/story_half_width-1379578222.jpg)
Credit/Copyright: Richard Barker
Auction highlights included a week-long stay on Richard Branson's Necker Island resort, which raised £50,000 and a bespoke diamond encrusted Mark Wilkinson jewellery case in the shape of Marilyn Monroe, which raised £90,000. A round of golf with Bruce Forsyth went for £40,000, an opportunity to meet Rod Stewart sold for £18,000 and the WBO Championship Belt from the 1993 fight between Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank raised £25,000.
The real stars on the night, though, were nine-year-old Tilly Griffiths, who has spinal muscular atrophy disease and her sister Candice, 11, from Cheddleton, Staffordshire.
The Butterfly Ball was named as a dedication to Tilly, who created a special picture for last year’s ball with Candice. The painting was auctioned and raised £340,000. This year someone paid £860,000 for a new painting by the heroic sisters. Look To The Stars salutes these inspiring young fundraisers.
Photos copyright Richard Barker
Copyright © 2009 Look to the Stars