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A host of celebrities turned out in support of The Christie charity last night (Saturday 7 March) to help raise funds for a new world leading cancer research centre.
The star-studded event took place at The Principal Hotel in Manchester and raised £162,000.
Celebrities including former Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn, Gogglebox’s Julie Malone, The Apprentice’s Lewis Ellis, Manchester United’s Max Taylor and former Rochdale footballer, Joe Thompson attended the stunning ‘Atlantis’ themed event. Hollyoaks stars including Connor Calland (plays Jordan Price) and Eva O’Hara (plays Verity Hutchinson), also attended the ball which featured a DJ set from Peaky Blinders star, Packy Lee (plays Johnny Dogs).
All funds raised will go towards a new cancer research centre. Together with partners, The University of Manchester and Cancer Research UK, The Christie is building a £150m world class research facility that will aim to double the number of patients taking part in clinical trials by 2030. The new centre will replace the Paterson building which was extensively damaged by fire in 2017.
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.
Prizes auctioned on the night included a tour of the Peaky Blinders set, a Tunnel Club experience at Manchester City and a tour of Michael Owen’s racing stables. The event was sponsored by ladies online fashion retailer AX Paris and construction company Seddons.
Professor Tim Somervaille, a consultant in haematological oncology at The Christie, said: “The ball was an amazing success, one of the best yet, and we are hugely grateful to all our guests and supporters who made this possible.
“It is vital for the future of cancer research that we are able to build this new centre here in Manchester so that more people can benefit by bringing together the largest concentration of scientists, doctors and nurses in Europe. This will allow these specialists to collaborate and accelerate progress for cancer patients.”
The Christie charity supports the work of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust providing enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds. This includes money for care and treatment, research, education and extra patient services. Gifts from the public make a huge difference to the care and treatment that The Christie is able to provide to patients and their families.
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust was the first specialist trust to be rated as ‘Outstanding’ twice (in 2016 and 2018) by the health regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC). It referred to The Christie as ‘a leader in cancer care’ and ‘a pioneer in developing innovative solutions to cancer care.’ The CQC praised the Trust’s staff which it said ‘go the extra mile to meet the needs of patients and their families’ and that they were ‘exceptionally kind and caring.’ In 2017, the CQC rated The Christie as the best specialist trust in the country, and one of the top three trusts overall in England.
