By Tim Saunders on
Former Soviet Union president Mikhail Gorbachev hosted a glittering charity gala at Hampton Court on Saturday night that saw a stunning array of celebrities show up to support the fight against cancer in children.
Kate Beckinsale, Orlando Bloom, Tracey Emin, Petra Nemcova, Kevin Spacey and Joan Collins were just some of the stars that turned out for the dinner, auction and dance to raise money for the Raisa Gorbachev Foundation – a charity established by Mr Gorbachev following the death of his wife in 1999.
A three course dinner was followed by an impressive selection of items up for auction, including a private night at Annabel’s nightclub in Mayfair for 160 people, clothes from designer Giles Deacon, a new Bentley Continental Flying Spur, and a private high-speed drive with British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton.
This was followed by a moving speech made by Hugh Grant, whose mother died from cancer in 2001, and a special performance from Bono.
“We are delighted Hugh is so involved this year,” said one of the organizers. “He is a very important part of the charity. For him to stand up and talk about his late mother is very special. It’s a night where people really do go to incredible lengths to raise money for an amazingly worthwhile charity.”
Last year’s Gala was also an exciting event.
Copyright © 2008 Look to the Stars
