Beverley Knight and Wolves legend Steve Bull join forces for glitzy fundraiser
Wolves legend Steve Bull and singing sensation Beverley Knight joined forces to raise tens of thousands for people in need across the region.
The glitzy fundraiser, supporting The Steve Bull Foundation and Cure Leukaemia, saw about 400 guests don their finest gladrags before pouring into Birmingham's ICC on Saturday evening.
It came four months after former Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme announced he was in remission following his battle with acute leukaemia.
Wolverhampton-born star Beverley said: "Steve is a long-standing friend, I'm proud to say. I started off as his big fan, now we have become friends.
"I did this event for him quite a few years ago. When he asked if I would come back and do it again, I said 'absolutely'.
"In light of what our Wolves team has gone through with our Carl, it just feels as if this has come at exactly the right time."
Beverley stunned guests with her powerhouse vocals, treating fundraisers to a 30-minute set of tunes alongside band Project 21.
The 'One Knight Only' event, hosted by radio presenter Ed James, also featured an auction and raffle - which saw a signed painting of Beverley raise £1,000 on the night.
The 45-year-old performer said she was glad to support a worthy cause after latest figures suggested one in two people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
Beverley, who has sold more than one million albums in the UK, added: "That's just the people who are touched by cancer themselves, that's excluding those people who love those with cancer - so that's every single one of us.
"No-one thought it was going to be Carl. We never ever think it's going to knock on your door until it does."
Cash raised will be split between the two Midlands-based charities, with Promise Dreams and Solihull Hospital Charity benefitting from money donated to The Steve Bull Foundation.
The Steve Bull Foundation supports good causes across the region, while Cure Leukaemia helps blood cancer patients access life-saving drug and transplant treatments.
Bull, who is vice president of Wolves and trustee of the foundation, said: "It's hard work but the rewards are fantastic. Seeing the faces of the children and families who benefit from this money - that's the benefit of what we do.
"This is our main event, which we have every year. It's not just about the Black Country, it's about the Midlands. We all need to come together. People should jump on board because they can make a difference.
"It's unbelievable for Carl. We don't know what is in our bodies, he is a very lucky lad."
Cure Leukaemia said it was 'indebted' to Wolves fans who have backed the charity over the past year, raising £143,000 after Ikeme was diagnosed with the condition.
Some of the cash raised was part of the £3.4million investment in redeveloping Birmingham's Centre for Clinical Haematology at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital - which was officially opened by HRH Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex, earlier this year.
James McLaughlin, chief executive officer of Cure Leukaemia, said: "It was a privilege to be part of this event. Carl is an inspiration for so many Wolverhampton Wanderers fans.
"Carl is an example, he is, fingers crossed, back and well. There are thousands of Carls across the region. We need to make sure they all get back to their families.
"For me, it's about awareness because everyone leads very busy lives. The community is so supportive of local and regional causes, the fundraising is important. We are going to make a difference to people's lives."
