80s stars at Wolverhampton charity event

Pop and rock legends Katrina of Katrina and the Waves, Sonia, Limahl of Kajagoogoo, Nathan Moore from Brother Beyond, Kelly Wilde and Hazell Dean, as well as local band Hipster, took to the stage at the annual event at the racecourse which was transformed into a winter wonderland for the occasion – inspired by pop band Wham! and their iconic music video for song Last Christmas.

The venue was lined with more than 100 Christmas trees, a white carpet was laid and glittering silver decorations created a world of ice and snow for the 450 people who attended the event.

The annual gala, this year called Après Ski, took place on Friday with charity patrons and former Wolverhampton Wanderers footballers Steve Bull and Don Goodman attending the special night.

Co-founder of the charity, which was set up in 2001, Suresh Bawa said: "I am always humbled and amazed by the generosity of people in Wolverhampton and the Black Country.

"I am proud to say that 80 per cent of our donations come from this area, which shows just how generous people are.

"The event itself always sells out and this year was no different.

"It was a real winter wonderland and brought a touch of the 80s back to life for people who came along to support us."

The gala, which is held in the first week of December each year, also recognised the work of a group of five men, including Mr Bawa and his 19-year-old son Arran, who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for charities including Promise Dreams.

Mr Bawa said: "I thought that, as my son and I raised £28,000 for Promise Dreams with the guys who joined us in the climb up Kilimanjaro, the least I could do is recognise the work that the others did in the trek too.

"So we had Neil Taylor, who was raising money for Birmingham Children's Hospital, as well as Scott and Brett Bernard who climbed to raise money for The Way Youth Zone, come to the gala too.

"So many people do such sterling work for charity so it was only right that we recognise all the good of the people of Wolverhampton."

The event was tinged with sadness, however. Mr Bawa said:"This year we have had the highest number of children passing away after we've fulfilled their dreams than we've ever had.

"Seven children died this year, and in many of those cases we had to make sure we fulfilled their dreams at very short notice. Although that's very very sad, the money that we have raised has enabled us to do that.

"So I'd like to thank everyone that supported us and those that also came to the gala, as not only did we put smiles on their faces, most importantly, through their support, we've been able to put smiles on the faces of terminally ill children across the UK. That's what really matters."

The trek to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro took place at the end of October this year and took five and a half days to complete. The climb was a 50th birthday challenge for Mr Bawa.

The group of five intrepid climbers each raised thousands for their chosen charities.

Neil Taylor, landlord of The Fox, at Shipley, raised £19,000 from the climb for Birmingham Children's Hospital. With the help of the money raised from the climb, Neil has raised a near total of £100,000 for the hospital since 2012 after staff there saved his daughter's life.

Scott and Brett Bernard raised more than £15,000 for The Way Youth Zone. The pair chose The Way as they have been keen supporters of the centre since it opened earlier this year.

Speaking during the climb up the mountain at the time, Brett said: "The Way is a charity I am extremely passionate about.

"Having recently become a father myself, I am more aware than ever of the benefits and positive impact The Way Youth Zone will have on the youth of Wolverhampton.

"The Way will be providing them with not only a place to learn and grow, but where they can feel supported, secure and safe."