Stars out for Caudwell

Disabled Solihull tenager mixes with stars at glitzy London charity ball.

Mark Wright with 13 -year-old Cameron Dixon, and 13-year-old Tia-Grace Ray - compressed

Cameron Dixon, from Solihull, experienced the full glare of the paparazzi last week when he attended one of the most prestigious fundraising events in the country.

The 13-year-old, who has Congenital Myopathy, which causes muscle weakness, was a special guest at Caudwell Children’s annual Butterfly Ball, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair, London, on Thursday 25th June.

Sir Bruce Forsyth, Rod Stewart, boy band Union J and Sarah, Duchess of York, were among a host of guests at the glamorous fundraising event which raised over £2million for the Staffordshire based national charity, Caudwell Children.

The charity, which provides practical and emotional support for disabled children and their families, welcomed over 800 guests at the Ball.

The night culminated in an exclusive performance by the Golden Globe and Grammy award winning singer, songwriter and musician, Lionel Richie.

Cameron, a beneficiary of the charity, posed with a selection of guests on the Red Carpet ahead of the event and he was clearly delighted to be the centre of attention for the evening.

Mark Bushell, from Caudwell Children, said that Cameron appeared to enjoy the media limelight. As he explained: “He happily posed on the Red Carpet with Sir Bruce Forsyth, former England and Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman and TV presenter and original TOWIE star Mark Wright.

“He had a fantastic time and he was even snapped with Tito, brother of the iconic Michael Jackson, who was performing at the event!”

The evening’s auction, which was hosted by renowned charity auctioneer, Charlie Ross, raised over £2million for the charity founded by the entrepreneur and philanthropist, John Caudwell.

Lots on offer in the exclusive auction included an original signed sketch by Andy Warhol, of one of his iconic ‘Soup Cans’, a week on Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island, the chance to dine with Sir Bruce Forsyth, at Marcus Wareing’s, Gilbert Scott restaurant and a private training session with former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion, David ‘The Hayemaker’ Haye.

Proceeds from the event will be used to transform the lives of disabled children living in the UK through a range of services. Since 2000 the charity has provided over £35million worth of support and helped thousands of families from right across the country.

During the event guests were entertained with performances from the world famous Tenor, Paul Potts and a surprise acoustic performance of Pretenders hits by Chrissie Hynde and guitarist James Walbourne.

On the sixth anniversary of the death of pop legend, Michael Jackson, the show was fittingly closed by an energetic and emotional set by his brother, and former Jackson 5 member, Tito.

Some of the guests carried the party on into the small hours with an after-show party in the hotel’s Red Bar with a DJ set from Maxi Jazz, the charismatic front-man of British dance group, Faithless.

The star-studded evening was hosted by singer, model, presenter and Caudwell Children Ambassador, Rachel Stevens and TV presenter, Mark Wright.

Charity Chief Executive, Trudi Beswick, said: “We are delighted at the overwhelming support we received from all of our guests on the night. This money is more important than ever as the demand for our support increases. This will enable us to touch the lives of thousands of children. I can’t thank everyone who donated tonight enough.”

For more information about Caudwell Children visit www.caudwellchildren.com