SINGER Ronan Keating has now raised over £7million in the fight against cancer following another star-studded charity dinner.
The former Boyzone frontman, accompanied by his pregnant wife Storm, joined over 450 guests in London on Saturday night for a circus-themed Emeralds and Ivy Ball at Evolution in Battersea Park.
Over £606,000 was raised on the night – Keating’s 11th charity dinner – to support the Marie Keating Foundation and Cancer Research UK.
Natalie Pinkham, centre, was among those at the 11th annual Emeralds & Ivy Ball, pictured here with Zara Philips and Mike Tindall and guests“Our Emeralds & Ivy Ball has been going for 11 years now and it remains a hugely important event in helping us raise awareness and funds for Cancer Research UK through the Marie Keating Foundation,” said Ronan, who turns 40 this week.
Irish Post Editor-in-Chief Siobhan Breatnach with Storm and Ronan Keating“We had a fantastic turn out this evening with some really special performers and guests and my family and I are touched by how many people showed their support by digging deep and getting involved in the raffle and auctions.
“All the money the Ball raises will help us bring vital information about cancer to people in their own communities.”
The Keatings with interior designer Kelly Hoppen and John GardinerMoney raised from at The Emeralds and Ivy Ball supports Cancer Research UK’s Cancer Awareness Roadshow.
The roadshow is staffed by specialist nurses who talk to people about potentially life-saving steps to reduce the risk of cancer, the importance of early diagnosis and signpost people to local services.
Ronan with host James NesbittThe evening was hosted by Lucky Man actor James Nesbitt.
Quintessential Brands Marketing Director for Dublin Liberties Distillery Sinead O'Frighil, centre, and guestsGuests included Rod Stewart, Zara Phillips, Mike Tindall, model Abbey Clancy and Saturday’s singer Una Healy as well as X Factor's Shayne Ward and some of the cast of TV series Made in Chelsea.
There were performances from Scottish rock band Simple Minds, M People singer Heather Small and the host himself, Ronan Keating.
Enjoying the nightAmong the night’s sponsors were security provider, the Banham Group as well as The Dubliner Irish Whiskey and Feeney’s Irish Cream, who produced a special series of Irish-style cocktails.
The night hads a circus-theme with Irish-style cocktails on offerTwo of Keating's three children, Jack and Missy, also took to the stage where they spoke passionately about losing their grandmother Marie to breast cancer when she was just 51.
Missy, 16, spoke from the heart about how the disease had robbed her family of many precious memories following her grandmother’s untimely death.
Storm and Ronan Keating with the singer's three children with first wife Yvonne Connolly - Jack, 18, Ali, 11, and Missy, 16Following that loss, Ronan and his family established the Marie Keating Foundation in 2001.
The charity now funds Cancer Awareness Roadshow Units and nurses who have toured Ireland offering advice on all types of cancer.
