Holly Willoughby hosts Valentine’s Ball for GOSH Charity

RECENTLY supporters, stars and special guests came together for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity’s (GOSH Charity) annual Valentine’s Ball, Love GOSH.

The event was hosted by presenter and TV personality Holly Willoughby, and attendees were treated to heartfelt performances by singer-songwriter Rebecca Ferguson and rock/pop band The Feeling ‒ all within the iconic Londoner hotel. 

The ball, which returned for its seventh year raised more than £780k, which will go towards building the new Children’s Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Helping to drive transformation in children’s cancer care and save more lives, the Children’s Cancer Centre will be designed with the needs of children and their families at its very heart and will support every aspect of care from diagnosis to remission.  

Love GOSH was made possible thanks to a host of generous sponsors, and additional funds were raised through a luxury raffle, as well as a silent and live auction. The evening also featured a moving speech from Gareth Halls, whose daughter Sienna was diagnosed with leukaemia at four years old. Last summer she rang the end of treatment bell after two years under GOSH’s care.    

Liz Tait, Director of Fundraising at GOSH Charity, said:

“What an amazing evening! Love GOSH is an event we all look forward to here at GOSH Charity, and to have raised more than £780,000 to support the building of the new Children’s Cancer Centre at GOSH is truly awe-inspiring.  

“The love in the room last night was clear to see, and I would like to extend a massive thank you to every single person who attended, including all the hosts, performers, supporters and sponsors. An extra special thank you goes to GOSH dad Gareth Halls, for his speech which reminded us all why raising vital funds for seriously ill children at GOSH is so important.”  

GOSH dad Gareth Halls said:

“I was so grateful for the opportunity to share my family’s story last night to raise funds for such an important cause. Watching our daughter Sienna go through more than two years of treatment for leukaemia is the hardest thing I’ve had to do as a parent, but I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the care that she has received at GOSH. The new Children’s Cancer Centre will provide the facilities needed to give children of tomorrow the best chance of life, and I encourage everyone to donate to help families like mine access life-changing care.”  

To find out how you can support GOSH Charity and help build the new Children’s Cancer Centre, please visit: www.gosh.org.