Former Strictly Come Dancing stars Vincent and Flavia took to the dance floor for The Christie charity last night (Saturday 9th March) to help raise funds for a vital new 4D scanner at The Christie, Manchester’s world renowned cancer centre.

Dancing the tango at the ‘Havana Nights’ themed star-studded annual charity ball sponsored by ladies online fashion retailer AX Paris, the couple thrilled the audience at the spectacular Principal hotel in Manchester. Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace appeared courtesy of sponsorship from Rochdale solicitors, Whitestone Solicitors.

Hosted by Cold Feet actor John Thomson and featuring a DJ set from Gok Wan, The Christie ball was once again well supported by a host of TV stars including Liam Fox from Emmerdale and his partner Joanna Hudson, Coronation Street’s Dolly-Rose Campbell and former Corrie star Victoria Ekanoye and Hollyoaks actor Jorgie Porter.

The event raised £150,000 which will go towards the redevelopment of the CT scanning department at The Christie, including the purchase of a state-of-the-art 4D scanning machine. Additional funds raised from an auction of memorabilia from the hit TV show Peaky Blinders will be added to the total in three weeks’ time when the online auction closes.

As well as a night of glamour, fine dining and top class entertainment in the stunning ballroom at The Principal, guests had the opportunity to take part in an auction to win amazing money-can't-buy experiences and exclusive prizes donated by supporters of the charity.

Guests at the Ball were also given a unique opportunity to see and bid for the collection of iconic memorabilia donated to The Christie by the hit TV series Peaky Blinders and its lead actor Cillian Murphy including the coat Cillian wore in series three and his hat from series five.

This is the first time that highly collectable items of clothing from the cult programme have been donated to a charity to help raise funds for a good cause. The auction site is reached through http://bit.ly/PeakyBlindersAuction and runs until 8pm on Friday 22^nd March 2019.

The auction collection also includes a host of other collectable items from the show including Cillian’s on set signed fleece, a signed photo and other photos of key cast members.

Dr Jon Bell, Consultant Interventional Radiologist at The Christie, who is leading the appeal for the redevelopment of the CT scanning department and the purchase of a 4D CT scanner said: “The ball was a fantastic success, one of the best yet, and we are hugely grateful to all our guests and supporters who made this possible. Vincent and Flavia did a stunning tango, Gok Wan got everyone up on the dancefloor with his DJ set and our host John Thomson provide moments of humour. It’s vital that we give our patients access to the very best technology when they are being treated at The Christie and the new 4D CT scanner and CT department redevelopment will be a big step forward.

Additional entertainment was provided by local singer Jo Farrow and Latin band Bianana.

Arun Anand, director at sponsor AX Paris, said: “AX Paris is delighted to sponsor this year’s Christie Charity ball which is raising vital funds to benefit cancer patients in the North West for years to come.”

Sajid Sadiq, Managing Director of Whitestone Solicitors said: “I am delighted to sponsor the supremely talented Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace to perform on the evening of The Christie Ball 2019 to help raise much needed funds for the redevelopment of The Christie scanning department. This vital project will benefit those affected by cancer in our local community and further afield.”

The Christie charity supports the work of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust through its fundraising activities, and delivers projects, equipment and improvements that are over and above what the NHS funds. The charity has more than 50,000 supporters who helped raise £15.4m last year. 

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust has been ranked ‘Outstanding’ by the health regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC) which referred to it as ‘exceptional’ and ‘a leader in its field’. It not only commended the Trust for its effectiveness and care, but highlighted its work in shaping the future of cancer care and noted the reach and influence of its clinical research projects. The CQC also rated The Christie the best specialist trust in the country, and one of the top three trusts overall in England.