Culture

Annual Square Mile Masked Ball raises money for children in style

Annual Square Mile Masked Ball raises money for children in style

Celebrities, high-flying business minds and beautiful women gathered at luxurious location One Mayfair last night for the annual Square Mile charity ball.

Sponsored by Chivas Regal, Iceberg Vodka, Asahi beer and Laurent Perrier champagne, this year’s fundraising event was in aid of Rays of Sunshine.

The Rays of Sunshine organisation works to help improve the lives of severely ill children through their wish scheme. This sees children send their wishes to the charity which then strives to “make their dreams come true”. Past wishes granted include a trip to Disneyland, a modelling shoot with Boden and a meeting with boy band One Direction.

Although celebrity ambassadors for Rays of Sunshine, unfortunately One Direction’s Harry, Zayn, Niall, Liam and Louis were not in attendance on this particular occasion. However, Simon Cowell (also an ambassador) did provide the guests with performances from his other prodigies – Spellbound and Melanie Masson.

The 2010 Britain’s Got Talent winners wowed the crowd with their technical and polished performance that was truly spellbinding! Masson was also impressive and blasted out a series of beautiful ballads that drew the guests, including Eastenders star Gary Lucy, to the dancefloor.

Olympic gold medallist Greg Rutherford was in attendance and brought particular attention to the silent auction. His Olympic Hero photograph was highly sought after and gained a series of bids, with people checking their phones for notifications throughout the night.

Other signed photographs included Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse and Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson.

Though there was no speech from Boris Johnson this year (as there was the year before, when he hosted the event and raised over £100,000 for the Mayor’s fund) and no sit down meal (just some canapés), the event was filled with excitement and was a wonderful way to raise awareness for such a fantastic charity.

Alice Audley

For further information visit Rays of Sunshine’s website here

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