A STOKE City footballer was the special guest at a Uttoxeter charity ball which raised over £27,000 which will fund life-saving equipment at a children’s hospital.
The charity ball, organised by Dove Valley Outdoor Events and held in Highwood, near Uttoxeter, is set to become an annual event after its incredible success on Saturday night.
Stoke City number one goalkeeper Asmir Begovic was the special guest at the ball held in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Guests were welcomed by Uttoxeter singer Amy Eley before being treated to a three course meal and then generously spending big on the fund-raising raffle and auction.
During the evening nurses from Birmingham Children’s Hospital went on stage to do a presentation so guests could see where their money would be spent.
Organisers hoped to raise around £25,000 which would fund five stateof- the-art monitors for a new unit for extremely sick children at the hospital.
Amy Ball, who organised the event, told the Advertiser they were ‘delighted’ to surpass that target and thanked all those who supported the cause.
She said: “All the hard work paid off — everyone had an enjoyable evening and we didn’t want the night to end.
“On behalf of Dove Valley we would like to thank everyone who came and everyone who donated raffle and auction prizes. We couldn’t do it without your continued support.
“We originally said we wanted to raise £20,000 but when the hospital said the monitor’s costs £5,000 each and they needed five we were determined to raise £25,000.
“Near the end of the night, one of our directors Syd Phillimore stood up when the total was £22,000 and said if anyone would make a donation the firm would match it to take it to £25,000 and three people put their hands up.
“After when we totaled all the donations up it has come to in excess of £27,000 which we are thrilled with.” Rob Blurton, from Dove Valley Outdoor Events, said the firm was happy to support the hospital.
He said: “It was a fantastic evening.
I’m glad we could raise the money so Birmingham Children’s Hospital can open the new unit.”
