Rockinghorse Glitter Ball raises £58,000 for children’s charity

All the money raised will be used to help support Sussex children and families through a new psychology service.

The Brighton Grand was the glamorous setting for the recent Rockinghorse Children’s Charity gala dinner.

Three hundred guests arrived in The Empress Suite to be greeted by a stunning projector display along the west wall and beautiful table decorations, all aimed at reflecting the glittery theme.

This year’s ball was supported by headline sponsor The Agora Clinic. Supporting sponsors were Galloways, ILG, UnitedUs, Living Room Health, Creative Pod, Firmballs, Platinum Media Group, The Grand and Rubix VT. Thanks to their support, every penny raised on the night can go to right to where it’s needed most.

Dr Carol Gilling-Smith, CEO and Medical Director of The Agoram said: “To us, every child is special, and so are their parents, which is why the Agora is so proud to support Rockinghorse give children the help they need when physical or emotional health issues become a challenge.”

Hosted by television presenter Marcella Whittingdale, a Rockinghorse ambassador, an incredible £58,000 was raised, all of which will be going towards funding a new psychology service for children and families recovering from cancer.

The service aims to offer a psychology service to families whose children have finished their treatment but who then have to deal with the often painful, emotional impact of the trauma they have experienced.

There is no other specialist support of this kind available in Sussex which means there are hundreds of children and their families struggling to manage and unable to move past potentially the worst experience of their lives.

Rockinghorse has previously funded a successful specialist oncology psychology service for children and families while they are receiving treatment, but this new service will help them manage what can often be serious mental health problems such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and help them return to a life after cancer.

Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Oncologist at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, Dr Anne Davidson, spoke movingly to the guests about the impact that a cancer diagnosis and treatment can have on families both in the short term and throughout their lives.

She said: “The emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis can cause just as much pain to their mental health as the physical treatment can to their bodies. How do you process what you have been through and try to return to some sense of normality? How do go back to school, manage friendships, return to work or support your other children?

“After years of working with young people and their families not just during treatment but afterwards in the immediate and long-term follow up has shown me how it isn’t so simple as end of treatment hurrah! And put it all behind you, if only…. 

“The trauma leaves some children, and increasingly their parents, with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. And if left undealt with I see the very long-term impact.”

Speaking at the Ball, Donna Holland, Chief Executive of Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, said: “I’m so proud of Rockinghorse’s ability to connect local people to ground-breaking and life-saving local projects. Thanks to the incredible support of everyone at this year’s Rockinghorse Glitter Ball we will be able to launch a brand-new cancer support service supporting children and their families all over Sussex.

“This service will support children and families coping with the trauma and lasting effects that cancer treatment can bring and means that families in Sussex have access to life-changing support on their doorstep.

“Thanks to our wonderful guests, brilliant sponsors and kind supporters this year’s Glitter Ball will leave a lasting legacy for support for children and their families in Sussex.”

Throughout the evening, guests were able to enjoy performances by students of The Theatre Workshop, who sang two musical medleys, a delicious three-course meal, live music from The Alison David Band and a disco courtesy of Capital DJ Dave Goodings.

Not only is this an amazing amount of money, but it’s made even more impressive as every single one of these prizes were donated absolutely free, including meals at eight of Sussex’s best fine dining restaurants, a ‘money can’t buy’ training ground experience at Brighton & Hove Albion FC and a private wine tasting session with wine expert and TV personality Olly Smith.

Olly said: “I was so pleased to be able to offer a prize to be auctioned at the Rockinghorse Glitter Ball. Rockinghorse is a wonderful charity that does so much for so many across Sussex. I have recently become an ambassador for them and I’m really looking forward to offering more support in the future. Congratulations to the whole team for organising such a successful event!”