Clatterbridge Cancer Charity Ball raises over £244,000

The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity Musicals Ball has provided a boost of more than £244,000 to drive forward research and help patient care for people with cancer in Cheshire and Merseyside.

Music sensation Jamie Webster and Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram were among the 450 guests who packed out the Rum Warehouse at Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel for the event.

Actress and TV presenter Kym Marsh was host, bringing warmth and humour to the stage throughout the night.

The event started with a sensational routine to classic songs from the musicals by dance group Desi Nach. It ended with a very special performance by Webster of his love letter to Liverpool, This Place, accompanied by a poignant montage of images of patients, fundraisers and staff from Clatterbridge.

The room had earlier fallen silent when the story of patient Rob Schenck was shown to remind ball goers of the crucial work their fundraising will support.

Clatterbridge Cancer Charity has pledged £5 million over five years to support research into new treatments and Rob has spent the last 12 months as a patient in the clinical trials unit.

The 28-year-old, from Rainhill in Merseyside, was just 25 when he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of testicular cancer.

Last year he was offered the chance to join a groundbreaking clinical trial at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre last year and has made remarkable progress.

Under the expert guidance of Professor Christian Ottensmeier, Rob has received an experimental cancer vaccine treatment allowing him to return to his studies for a new career and take up exercise again.

Rob said:

“The clinical trial has offered me hope where often there isn’t any hope. Prof Ottensmeier and all the team at Clatterbridge have been amazing and I am so grateful.

“This treatment is a game changer, and it is so important that this research is happening at Clatterbridge to help people like me.”

Before entering the research trial, when his prognosis had been poor, Rob married Brogan, and the newly married couple were not sure what the future held.

They are now looking to the future with renewed positivity and were at the ball to spread the message of hope with fellow guests.

They were given a rapturous standing ovation after their story was told.

Brogan said: “We had such a wonderful night and want to thank everyone for being so generous so that other patients can benefit from the type of treatment Rob has had.”

More than £244,000 was raised on the night, a new record for the annual ball and a total described by Clatterbridge Cancer Charity Chief Executive Katrina Bury as “phenomenal”.

Auctioneer Addison Gelpey led bidders through a series of impressive prizes including glamorous holiday destinations, football hospitality, a luxury shopping experience and a unique piece of artwork. He also invited generous guests to pledge donations to boost the fundraising total. Elements Girl Band got guests on the dancefloor once the fundraising was complete.

Charity patrons Cathy Frost and Emma Rodgers were presented with the Chair’s Award for Outstanding Contribution during the evening by Trustee Jordan Wright, to recognise their contribution over several years each.

Jordan, who was deputising for Charity Chair Brian Barwick OBE, said:

“I would like to thank Cathy and Emma for their remarkable dedication to Clatterbridge Cancer Charity.

“It was an honour to present the Chair’s Award to them both on behalf of Brian.

“They epitomise the best of Clatterbridge Cancer Charity and it was fitting that on a wonderful night of fundraising we celebrated their contribution.

“The Ball was an example of what makes our Charity and its supporters so important to people with cancer in our region, people coming together to make a real difference to those who need it most.”

Charity CEO Katrina Bury said:

“Every year we are overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of our supporters who come to the ball but this year we are completely blown away to reach almost a quarter of a million pounds.

“Every raffle ticket bought, tombola prize won, auction bid and pledge made helped us reach this phenomenal figure that will help people with cancer in Cheshire and Merseyside.

“I want to say thank you to every single person who came to the ball, had fun and helped us raise this fantastic sum of money and I want to thank our sponsors who enabled us to host such a wonderful night for our guests.

“I would also like to thank Kym for being such a brilliant host, Addison for his expert auctioneering skills and Jamie, Elements and Desi Nach for entertaining our guests and embracing the spirit of this very special night.

“Of course, special thanks must go to Rob and Brogan for allowing us to share their story and illustrate how important fundraising is to patients at Clatterbridge.”

Host Kym has a close personal connection with the Charity after her late dad Dave was treated at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

She said:

“My dad was looked after by Clatterbridge, and he was keen for us to say thank you and tell everybody how brilliant they are. I was delighted to host the ball and help the Charity raise such an incredible amount of money on the night. Those funds will help research into future treatments to help patients and that is so important.

“I loved meeting Rob and Brogan and being part of such a special night. Thank you to everyone who bought raffle tickets, bid for an auction prize or donated in some other way. You are really helping improve the lives of cancer patients and should be very proud.”

The Musicals Ball was sponsored by DELL Technologies and CDW, The Johnson Foundation, J&J Fire Engineering, A&B Engineering and ETC.