Dine with Davina raises £28,000

Davina McCall returned to Southampton on Friday (8 November) to host her seventh annual Dine with Davina event, raising £28,000 forthe children’s charity, Action Medical Research.

The sell-out event brought 300 local ladies to the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel for an afternoon of fun, fine dining and fundraising.

Local DJ Mark Collins, presenter of Wave 105’s morning show, acted as MC and Hampshire-based auctioneer John Cameron, expert presenter on BBC shows Cash in the Attic and Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, led the charity auction. Davina herself donated a pair of Christian Louboutin heels and a dress for the auction.

To top off a fantastic afternoon Martin Fry, front man of ‘80s pop band ABC, dusted off his trademark gold lamé suit and got everybody up and dancing to the band’s classic hits, like ‘The Look of Love’ and ‘Poison Arrow’.

Davina, who has supported the charity for many years, said: “It was great to be back in Southampton again for Dine with Davina, catching up with old friends and welcoming new ones. We’re still having just as much fun as ever and most importantly raising money for a charity that is very special to me. Action Medical Research finds and funds the very best medical research to help stop the suffering of babies and children caused by disease and disability.”

Leigh-Beth Stroud, Community Fundraiser at Action Medical Research, said: “Dine with Davina continues to go from strength to strength and is such a pleasure for everyone involved. A big thank you to the organising committee for all their hard work throughout the year, to DFE Commerical and Next for their support, and of course to our lovely guests who return year after year to support the charity. We hope to see everyone again next year!”

Dine with Davina is supported throughout the year by a team of local business ladies who help with promotion, secure some fantastic auction prizes, sell advertising space in the souvenir programme and generally ensure the event is a huge success.

Davina has already pledged further support for the charity in 2014, when she’ll be getting on her bike for the Davina’s DIVA Sussex ride on Sunday 11 May.