Soul singer Beverley Knight helps raise £5k for sick friend

The singer starred in a charity gala dinner at Molineux in aid of a family friend who is battling cancer. The exclusive concert at the stadium's WV1 restaurant raised £5,000 towards treatment for Anntoinette Richards.

The 32-year-old mother from Bushbury, who has liver cancer, is hoping to travel to Germany for treatment after doctors here said there is nothing more they can do. Her father Errol and family are aiming to raise £85,000.

Soulstress Beverly joined other entertainers, including Wolverhampton singer-songwriter Gareth Esson, Siobhan, Project 21 and DJ Croc in the fundraiser which included dinner, an auction and dancing.

Afterwards, Mrs Richards' cousin Lorraine Esson, one of the event organisers, said: "The evening was a resounding success and I know Anntoinette will be thrilled with the supreme effort everyone made to support the event.

"I want to thank all of those who made it such a success – those who attended, who donated items for auction and, of course, the outstanding entertainers who gave their all for this very worthy cause."

A capacity 160 guests attended the £50-a-head gala which brings the total raised so far for the cause to £36,000.

The family are aiming to raise £85,000 to send Anntoinette to a clinic in Germany for alternative treatment, known as Verita Life, which is thought will give her the best chance of recovery after she battled breast cancer only to discover the condition had spread to her liver. Further fund raising events are being planned for 2018 in order to reach the target.

In the run-up to the gig, singer Beverley tweeted: "I am doing an exclusive set @Wolves to raise money for specialist care for a close family friend who is fighting liver cancer. Please support.” #Wolverhampton #BlackCountry #Birmingham #Wolves #molineux #SaveALife #cancersucks #NHS"

The evening was hosted by a dynamic duo BBC Black Country Radio presenter Matt Dudley and Actress Tonia Daley-Campbell.