Richard Madeley hosts charity ball for Saint Francis Hospice

Romford’s Richard Madeley was joined by his wife Judy Finnigan for the event (Credit: Saint Francis Hospice)

TV presenter Richard Madeley has hosted a special ball which raised more than £100,000 for Saint Francis Hospice.

The Big Heart Ball was held in the Grand Connaught Rooms in London on Saturday, 12 November.

Richard, who was there with his wife Judy Finnigan, helped introduce the entertainment on the night which included a surprise performance by the Grammy-award winning musician Imogen Heap.

The international showband Jam Hot and local DJ Andy Furneaux, who is also known as The Candy Man, kept people on their toes with a variety of music.

Imogen Heap was one of the performers at the event (Credit: SFH)

“Our 350 guests had a wonderful time and many of them were still on the dancefloor at 1am,” said Mary Anne Donovan, major partnerships manager and the event organiser.

“One of the highlights of the evening was the superbly talented quick artist Dave Sharp, who produced an amazing painting of Queen Elizabeth in under 10 minutes, which was then auctioned for £16,000.

Dave Sharp painting Queen Elizabeth (Credit: SFH)

“All evening, our guests were generous and dug deep to support the Hospice. Overall, the Big Heart Ball raised over £100,000 – which will help pay for 14 patients who need 24-hour care on our ward supported by our consultants, doctors and nurses.

“Huge thanks to everyone involved. It was a great night, made even more special by knowing that so much money was raised to help local people.”

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