Olympians turn out to support The Starr Trust Winter Extravaganza Ball

The Winter Extravaganza is the biggest fundraising effort in the Starr Trust charity’s annual calendar of events and this year returned for the first time following the pandemic, raising £40,000. 

Held on 29th October at the Hilton Brighton Metropole, the event was generously sponsored by Rubix VT and Handelsbanken, meaning all £40,000 raised on the night will go directly into supporting young people aged 10-25 years old who are struggling to overcome roadblocks in their lives. 

During the evening, Chairman of the Starr Trust, Rob Starr candidly interviewed special guest and inspirational Olympic Legend Eddie ‘the Eagle’ Edwards, where the audience were invited to ask their own questions of the Olympian. 

Guests and Young Starrs supported by the charity were inspired by Eddie’s definition of success. “Success means something different for everyone, but for me it is about actually giving your dreams a go rather than just dreaming about them,” said Eddie. 

Eighteen-year-old Alex, who is supported by the Starr Trust, confidently spoke live on stage to over 300 guests about her journey, telling how the funding and support has enabled her to overcome huge trauma and roadblocks in her life, to now being a thriving university student studying to become a special educational needs teacher. 

Good friend of the Starr Trust, Olympian Decathlete Daley Thompson CBE attended the occasion. He chatted and posed for photos with young people supported by the Trust and said of the event: “My first Starr Trust Winter Ball and it was a lovely night out for a charity I love with people giving generously, but the best thing is obviously the number of young people and their families, the Trust will now be able to help.”

Scottish television personality Gail Porter joined her good friend and Ambassador of the charity Marc Abraham OBE to co-host on the night, encouraging guests to get behind the cause. 

Nick Poyner, MD of Rubix VT and Sponsor of the Winter Extravaganza, said: “The hardworking team at the Starr Trust truly delivered an amazing event with their Winter Extravaganza Ball at the Hilton Brighton Metropole. We were very proud to be a sponsor and had a fantastic time. As well as being great fun, the ball and auction raised huge amounts to help the charity remove roadblocks for young people, which we are proud to play our part in.”

Rob Starr, Founder and Chairman of the Starr Trust said: “A wonderful occasion amongst friends with both new and long-term supporters showing their support. We can’t thank the generous sponsors and guests enough for helping to raise these funds which will literally change lives. 

“We are incredibly proud of Alex for all she has achieved so far and very grateful to her for bravely telling her story on the night. We were all blown away by the pledge from sponsor Rubix VT to top up the fundraising even further by rounding the final figure up to £40,000! Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who gave their time and contributed to making this event the success it was.”

Also kindly supporting the evening were Highweald Wine Estate, who provided the English Sparkling Wine for the drinks reception, along with Creative Pod and Gemini Print who provided support through their design and print services, and E3 Events, who managed the live auction and event production on the night.