ARSENAL CHARITY BALL RAISES £450,000 FOR GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL

Thu 6th May 2010 | Football Industry Events

Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal first team squad, Barbara Windsor, Dermot O’Leary and Matt Lucas together with a host of other celebrities and special guests attended The Gunners’ World Ball in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity last night at Emirates Stadium. An exclusive auction helped to raise £380,000 towards a new Arsenal Lung Function Unit at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and with ticket sales plus other donations the evening raised over £450,000.

Arsenal Manager, Arsène Wenger said: “The ball was a wonderful celebration of our partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital which we all enjoyed. The evening is always the highlight of the season-long partnership and last night was no different. It was a fantastic event and to raise over £450,000 has helped us surpass our season’s target for this wonderful charity.”  

The spectacular fundraising bonanza, generously supported by Carpetright, was hosted by X Factor presenter and Arsenal fan Dermot O’Leary with a champagne reception hosted by Arsène Wenger and Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas. Dinner was designed by Michelin-starred chef Raymond Blanc.

Auction lots included seats on the Arsenal team plane to a European match, an Arsenal shirt signed by Jay-Z, as well as dinner with Arsène Wenger. There was also a free-kick lesson with Cesc Fabregas which sold for £12,000. Guests then enjoyed an incredible live musical performance from BRIT nominated The Feeling followed by a set from radio DJ Emma B.

Dr Jane Collins, Chief Executive of Great Ormond Street Hospital said:  "We are so grateful to everyone at Arsenal Football Club for their support and the fantastic amount of money that was raised at the ball to help us fund a new lung function unit. With Arsenal’s help we can vastly improve the facilities for our patients and their families.”  

Over the course of the season, through the ‘Be a Gooner Be a Giver’ campaign, the Gunners aimed to raise £500,000 towards a new Arsenal Lung Function Unit for children who have difficulty breathing or sleeping. These problems can mean that children may not grow properly and the Lung Function Unit is vitally important in their treatment.

The new Arsenal Lung Function Unit will be designed to help newborn babies right through to teenagers and will provide a modern and spacious environment in which to help children and their families.

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