It was red noses at the ready at the Ryman & Robert Dyas Comic Relief Gala Ball!

Theo’s Gala Ball guests were entertained by Vernon Kay, Ronan Keating and ventriloquist Paul Zerdin

Theo welcomed over 700 guests plus TV presenters, chefs, musical and sporting stars to an exclusive Gala Ball in aid of Comic Relief. The event was held at Battersea Evolution, in London on Friday March 15th, and saw a night of red noses, generous guests and a line-up of fantastic entertainment, headlined by Ronan Keating.  The evening, compered by Vernon Kay, saw the total raised by retailers Ryman and Robert Dyas, since 2009 go past the £4.69 million mark!

Ronan Keating said: “What a great night and a fantastic crowd. I was delighted to be there to help Comic Relief raise such a great amount at the Ryman and Robert Dyas Gala Ball.”

Theo Paphitis said: “It was amazing to see hundreds of people came together to ensure we raised as much money as possible for Comic Relief.  A special thanks to Ronan Keating, Vernon Kay and Paul Zerdin for taking the time to entertain our brilliant guests this evening, helping improve countless lives here in the UK and across the world!”

Vernon Kay added: “It was a great crowd in Battersea Evolution tonight and all intent on the same purpose – to have fun and raise as much money as physically possible for Comic Relief…and they smashed it”.

Auctioneer legend Jonny Gould helped to auction off fantastic money-CAN-buy auction lots on the night including trips of a lifetime, F1 racing days to tick off the bucket list and a cooking experience with Jane Devonshire, Masterchef winner 2016.

There was also a special auction where 64 donated £500 each to raise funds for The Boxing Academy, a Comic Relief funded project based in Hackney, helping to provide an alternative education solution for 14-16 year olds who are at risk of, or have been, excluded from mainstream school.

All proceeds from the ball contributed to Ryman and Robert Dyas’s Comic Relief fundraising total, joined together with the retail brands’ colleague fundraising and selling the special Comic Relief character pens over the last couple of months, including Wolfnose, The Gnose, Nosediva and Snufflekins, which are still available in store for those who haven’t had a chance to grab the collection yet.