Costa and celebs pull together for Max Clifford Golf Challenge and Butterfly Ball

THE Costa del Sol hosted the celebrity-studded charity event of the year. The Max Clifford Celebrity Golf Challenge and Butterfly Ball is an outstanding annual event held each year to raise money for the Rhys Daniels Trust.

Guests and sponsors united with a common cause to help others in need, digging deep to raise money to provide ‘Home from Home’ accommodation for children and families receiving treatments in UK children’s hospitals. Often these hospitals are far from home. Having their family close can make all the difference, but this is something not all families can afford to do. Publicist Max Clifford first suggested the idea for this event 12 years ago as a way to raise funds for the Rhys Daniels Trust.

Last year’s event raised £92,950 (€115,713). While the total amount raised from this year’s event is not confirmed, “there will probably be less due to fewer golfers and guests at the ball,” said organizer Patti Senker. “The recession has affected us more this year than the past two. However, we are delighted with its success. While the participants may have been less the passion and fervour was certainly not. Whatever is raised is greatly appreciated. All our sponsors and participants give us wonderful support.”

The three day event kicked-off with a Jubilee themed welcome dinner Thursday at La Cala Golf Resort followed by Friday’s poolside BBQ at La Cala Resort. Golf tournaments were played on La Cala Resort’s America course Friday and Asia course Saturday. The winning team was Aims made up of Tom Edwardson – who also was the best individual amateur player – Kevin Gray, Ann Lunt and celebrity player ex-Spurs football player Paul Miller. James Hewitt of the Polo House was the individual celebrity winner. There were also prizes for runners-up and the ‘Wooden Spoon’ trophy awarded to the player with the worst score of the competition. Trophies were presented at the Butterfly Ball Saturday in the Hotel Beatriz Palace ballroom, Fuengirola.

The Butterfly Ball started with a cocktail reception before the 180 guests were seated in the ballroom, which was beautifully decorated with pink accents and subdued lighting adding to the ambience.

The evening’s entertainment was kicked-off by compare Mike Osman with some interactive games getting everybody involved and up on their feet.

It was non-stop action with alternating fun and activities and speeches about the charity by Max Clifford and trust founder Barry Daniels who asked people to “dig deep” before dinner was served.

Later, entertainment was provided by Sam Kane and daughter Lucy, Josh Daniels, Tee Green, Milly Bolton and Masquerade. Among the guests were celebrities including comedian Bobby Davro, former footballers Steve Sedgley and Paul Miller, actors Chris Simmons, Billy Murray, Sam Kane and wife Linda Lusardi, among others.

“It was one of the most slick charity events I have ever attended,” said EWN publisher Michel Euesden. “There was fun, laughter and tears; giving us all truly a night to remember for such a worthy cause. It was an honour to participate. Patti Senker did a wonderful job. We are making the booking as we speak for the November event in the UK.”

This year there was a silent auction which raised £10,007.10 (€12,489.59).

Items included tickets for exclusive sporting activities, holidays, among others, as well as art work, signed football items, celebrity photos and guitars signed by Bruce Springsteen and Guns & Roses.

The most popular items on the night were entertainment items and holidays.

Of the 30 items put up for auction, 20 were winning bids.

The item that went for the highest price was The Henley Regatta experience for 10 people on June 28 for £4,000 (€4,992), according to Jodie Abrahams, Managing Director of Fun Raising, UK’s leading Silent Auction who have raised €6million in five years through their various auctions worldwide.

The event’s sponsors included RDMC’s Glass Manufacturers SL, NEXT, HiFX, Secrets, Aims, BoxFresh, and Harley Street Skin Clinic.  Roger Emerson of RDMC said: “It was very enjoyable and wonderful to be able to support such a worthwhile charity. I would like to thank Patti Senker for all her hard work for organising the event.”

Written by Nicole Hallet

 Photos by James Yeadon

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