Mark Ronson performing at the gig
The event, organised by the RD Crusaders Foundation, raised £5 million for Marie Curie Cancer Care and four other charities.
Headlining the event were The RD Crusaders – a star studded band of top rockers, founded by Express group proprietor Richard Desmond. The line-up included Roger Daltrey on vocals, Simon Townshend on guitar, Zoot Money on keyboards and Richard Desmond on drums.
Guests were also treated to performances from new Crusaders Elkie Brooks and Rick Wills and surprise guest performances from Jimmy Osmond and Peter Andre.
Richard Caring, owner of The Ivy and Le Caprice, provided catering for the guests, who included Liz Hurley, Jordan, the Duchess of York and Princess Beatrice.
Retail tycoon Philip Green donated £250,000 on the night to be shared between the benefiting charities. Money raised for Marie Curie Cancer Care will go towards the Project Butterfly appeal for the complete refurbishment of the Marie Curie Hospice, Hampstead.
The Project Butterfly committee at the gig: L-R
Adrian Tookman, Marie Curie Nurse
Elias Martins, Fundraiser Bev Brock, Marie Curie
Nurse Maureen Adekoya, Ian Wilson, Trevor Pears,
Paul Evans and Roz Evans
Capital Appeal Manager Beverley Brock said: “It was an unforgettable evening; everyone was so generous and we cannot thank the RD Crusaders enough. The money will ensure we can build a 21st century hospice to care for people with terminal illnesses and their families, allowing them to spend their final days with dignity and in complete comfort.”
The event came about when Project Butterfly Chairman and RD Committee member Trevor Pears approached Richard Desmond with a pledge of £250,000 if the RD Crusaders performed again for charity.
The challenge to Desmond was to treble the original donation on the night for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Other beneficiaries from the concert include the National Neurological Development Foundation, Moorfields Eye Hospital, Norwood and the Disability Foundation.
May 2008
