The stars come out (From Witney Gazette)
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Stars and celebrities turn out for charity fashion show at Bee Gee Robin Gibb's Thame home
10:53am Friday 1st October 2010 in News By Andrew Ffrench
Charitable hosts . . . Robin and Dwina Gibb, centre, flanked by Duncan Bannatyne and his wife
STARS and celebrities gathered at the home of former Bee Gee Robin Gibb to raise more than £60,000 for an Abingdon-based breast cancer charity.
Against Breast Cancer staged its biggest fundraising event yet with the Splash of Pink fashion show at the home of the singer and wife Dwina, who is a patron of the charity.
More than 400 people attended the fashion show and tea in the grounds of the couple’s home at Thame.
Charity spokesman Fiona Smart said: “The fashion show was brilliant and was attended by so many well-known celebrities.
“We have raised more than £60,000 for the charity by selling seats for the fashion show and from the auction and the raffle.
“This was the biggest event in the charity’s 17-year history.”
A host of stars arrived wearing a splash of pink.
They included Dragons’ Den star Duncan Bannatyne, shoe designer Jimmy Choo, 2009 X Factor winner Joe McElderry, on behalf of patron Simon Cowell, fashion designer Paul Costelloe, Noel Edmonds, Sir Leslie Phillips, and former Tory MP Michael Portillo.
The fashion show, which featured Mr Costelloe showcasing his autumn collection, finished with a live performance from host Robin Gibb, supported by Natasha Hamilton and Elan Lee.
The show will help the charity reach its annual goal of £1m to fund research into breast cancer.
A new blood test is being developed by the charity’s researchers which it is hoped will detect the secondary spread of breast cancer.
Gordon Vallance, director of Against Breast Cancer, said: “We were astounded by the huge amount of goodwill and generosity shown to the charity for our event by both individuals and organisations. Robin and Dwina have been incredibly kind in letting us use their home for this special event.
“Everyone’s time, expertise and services helped bring this ambitious project to fruition, helping to raise much-needed funds for our research.”
