ARCHANT LONDON BUTTERFLY BALL IN AID OF CAUDWELL CHILDREN

A SUPREME piece of charity by the team at Archant London events team, proved that people's hearts are bigger than the recession as they staged a massive fundraising event in a top London hotel for a children's charity.

Caudwell Children was the focus of a money raising Butterfly Press Ball on Friday evening when the Landmark Hotel in London's Regent Park, was crammed with caring people intent of raising cash for the renowned charity.
Archant London's Managing Director, Enzo Testa, welcomed the guests telling them though financial conditions were tough, he was confident that by their very presence, their generosity would produce a wealth of cash for the children, and so it proved.

Flexing the muscle and influence of the London wide publisher's 29 weekly newspapers and 28 local community web sites, money flowed into the coffers as the night progressed with an auction of items from such personalities as Mohammed Ali, Mike Tyson, a one off designer dress from Jenny Packham and a diamond encrusted Rotary watch as top prize in the raffle.

Founded in 2000 by entrepreneur John Caudwell, the charity has so far raised more then £10 million with every penny raised going to the children, and John Caudwell picking up the tab for the administration. This one of the reasons the charity was chosen by Enzo Testa.

He said: "Caudwell Children helps children with terminal illnesses who need support. Every penny we raise goes directly to helping Caudwell do just that. That is why I chose this worthy cause as Archant London's focus for our Butterfly Ball."

To achieve the total, a team from Archant London spent a full year organising and collecting prizes and gifts.

Top personalities such as, actress Lucinda Rhodes and X Factor singer Andy Abraham donated their time and provided the cabaret with popular broadcaster Mike Read hosting the evening. Other celebrities to attend included Miss England 2009 Rachel Christie, Hayley Mac Miss Galaxy International 2010, Lynne Franks of I'm a Celebrity Get me out of Here fame and leading PR expert, Lisa Voice self made music and property millionaire and girlfriend of the late 50's rock legend, Billy Fury, Esther McVery presenter, Karen Millen designer and performer Sonique.

Secret and open auctions and a raffle raised thousands as the people dug deep all in the cause of giving.

The dress donated by designer, Jenny Peckham, went for £1,400 and a signed Michael Jackson display containing a platinum disc went for £1,500. Even Mohamed Ali's signed boxing trunks were sold for £2,100. But the prize of the night was a lithograph by legendary artist Pablo Picasso from his Sketchbook collection that eventually went for £3,000.

Mike Read conducted the auction and was almost speechless at the end of the marathon fund raising effort.

An emotive and touching presentation by Chief Executive of Caudwell Children, Trudi Beswick left the guest in no doubt how valuable their contributions to the evening had been.

In thanking Enzo Testa and Archant London for their commitment and for organising the event, she also thanked the many sponsors of the evening by highlighting some of the individual cases where the charity has brought life and fulfilled ambitions.

Many children they help are terribly afflicted by disease and life threatening illnesses, and the charity supplies the means to achieve their ambitions and restore dignity to illness devastated young lives.

She emphasised that every penny goes to helping them achieve ambitions such as just walking or going on a family holiday.

She said: "I am looking forward to meeting Daniel. He is only 10 and suffers from Leukaemia. He was not given much hope of survival and indeed suffered a stroke from which he was not expected to live through.

"But against all the odds Daniel fought back and has survived, and in November his ambition will come true. We are taking him and his family to Disneyland in America.

His life expectancy is very short, but we are pleased to help fulfil this determined young man's wishes."

But the battle to help these children continues and as Archant London's chosen charity, readers can make their own donation on www.justgiving.com/archantappeal or by posting a cheque to Archant Appeal, Media House, 539 High Road, Ilford, Essex IG1 1UD.

For more details speak to Claire Evans - 020 8477 3939 claire.evans@archant.co.uk

Who are Caudwell Children?

To date Caudwell Children has donated over £10 million to thousands of children with 160 medical conditions. The Charity is committed to changing the lives of children by providing individual donations of specialist equipment, treatment and therapy as well as its annual Destination Dreams holiday for families coping with a child's terminal illness.

Caudwell Children was registered in March 2000 and is widely recognised as one of the country's fastest growing children's charities. Since its inception the charity has doubled every pound raised, achieved through supplier partnerships, which means every pound donated works even harder.

The Charity was founded by entrepreneur, John Caudwell, whose vision was to create a sustainable children's charity that offered benefactors' transparency and piece of mind that 100% of their donation was being used to directly change children's lives.

By donating the cost of the Charity's annual management and administration overheads, John has guaranteed an efficient way for individuals and businesses to change the lives of thousands of sick and disabled children living in the UK.

John Caudwell remains the Charity's largest benefactor and sits as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

The Charity's ambassadors include Hollywood actress and author, Joan Collins, actress Elizabeth Hurley, Rod and Penny Stewart, Bruce Forsyth and singer, Robbie Williams.

Who are Archant London?

Archant London, is a dynamic business which publishes 29 weekly newspapers across the capital and north Kent. The title portfolio reads like a roll call of the good and the great with famous titles such as the Ham & High, Hackney Gazette, East London Advertiser, the Recorder and Kentish Times Series.

Archant London provides the opportunity for businesses to reach 1 million adults every week through our portfolio of both paid for and free newspapers and local community web sites which enjoy a strong reputation for serving the community.