Midsummer Gala
Raisa Gorbachev Foundation – Russian Midsummer Gala 2010
working together to help children affected by cancer…
Mikhail Gorbachev and Evgeny Lebedev were delighted to host the fifth annual Russian Midsummer Gala at the Stud House, Hampton Court on Saturday 5th June 2010. The event raised a staggering £1.7 million for the Raisa Gorbachev Foundation and Marie Curie Cancer Care.
On the lawns of Stud House a part replica of the Church of the Intercession was recreated as the entrance into the fabulous dining room, complete with a floor to ceiling wall of stained glass and bespoke patterned ceiling, reminiscent of St Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow.
Hugh Grant joined the auctioneer (and CEO of Marie Curie), Thomas Hughes-Hallett on the stage and hosted an auction of promises and pledges. Auction lots included a stunning Marc Quinn painting Hyper Nova (2010), a Francis Bacon Triptych, dinner and music by Sophie Dahl and Jamie Cullum, a sensational Six Senses holiday of a lifetime and a jelly wrestle with supermodel Lara Stone. Guests also showed incredible generosity bidding for lots including life-saving treatments for children with cancer, child bereavement support and Marie Curie Cancer Care palliative care nurses.
A performance by Russian Soprano Anna Netrebko provided the start to an evening of fantastic food, drink and extraordinary generosity. Bryan Ferry, Simon Le Bon and a DJ set from Mark Ronson and Jefferson Hack entertained the guests into the small hours.
The primary goal of the Foundation is to raise funds for better treatment of children suffering with cancer in Russia and the UK and to fund research to help eradicate this life-threatening disease. The aim of the fundraising gala: To give more children suffering with cancer the chance to survive
For further information please contact Marcus Beale.
