Starr Trust raises a record-breaking £65,505 at its Winter Extravaganza Ball

This year’s Winter Extravaganza Ball marked the Starr Trust’s eighth Annual Winter Extravaganza fundraising ball and was the first to be held in the much larger and prestigious Oxford Suite at the DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole.

Held on November 9 with Seico Group as headline sponsor, and supported by Ryan Heal, Managing Director of Best of British Events, the ball raised an incredible £65,505 net of all costs, which will all go directly into supporting young people aged 10-25 years old who are struggling to overcome roadblocks in their lives.

The evening commenced with a sparkling drinks reception, kindly sponsored by Highweald English Sparkling Wine, and cabaret themed acts, including stilt walkers and singers lead by Sharon Starr. Guy Lloyd was the event host for the night, leading guests smoothly through the evening with an elaborate backdrop of Fire and Ice. The theme was created by Fabricate and Mascol Events. 

Rob Starr, Founder and Chairman of the Starr Trust said: “A wonderful occasion amongst friends, with both new and long-term supporters showing incredible support. The feedback we’ve had has been incredible, and I’d like to thank our generous sponsors without whom we would not be able to raise these funds which will literally change lives.”

Young Starr Noah, supported by the Starr Trust, bravely took to the stage for a conversation with Daley Thompson CBE and Rob Starr, where they discussed his incredible journey – from a life-changing accident through to his rehabilitation and goals to be a Paralympian in the future.

If you would like to be part of Noah’s Journey, read on

At the Ball, the Start Trust introduced you to Noah Rees, and Rob spoke about how the Trust will continue to help him reach his goal of the Paralympics in 2028, but we asked if anyone in the room would join us on this journey to support and help Noah. A number of people came over afterwards and chatted to Rob, Noah and Daley and expressed an interest to help, either financially or through contacts, or a mixture of both.

If you would like to join the Trust on this mission to support Noah in his dream, then please drop Rob an email at

rob@starrtrust.org. The Starr Trust really wants to help Noah, but can’t do it alone, so it is hoping some of you will be able to join it in helping him.

The Starr Trust would like to thank all guests who donated to ‘Sponsor a Starr’, took part in the raffle and auction and generally supported the Trust’s work on the night.

Special thanks to all sponsors who made the event possible including:

SEICO Insurance & Mortgages, Sussex Business Times, Creative Pod, Gemini Print Solutions, Webtrends Optimize, Best of British Events, Cognitive Law Limited, Fabricate Decor, IT Document Solutions Limited, Walk in Wardrobe, DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole, Highweald Wine Estate, Minty Ink, Anassa.com, EMC, Fundraising Auctions, Richmond Hill Hotel, Waldorf Hotel and Guy Hilton, DKollection and Daisy Kalnina, Chutima Therapy, Brighton Zip, Upside Down House, The Salt
Room, our amazing patron Robin Cousins, Worthing Ice Rink, and Nostos.

Thanks also go to Sam Stephenson for the great photos.