Sir Bob Geldof heads celebrities boosting Warrior Programme (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Sir Bob Geldof heads celebrities boosting Warrior Programme

9:20am Wednesday 16th December 2009

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SOMERSET-based charity, The Warrior Programme, held its second anniversary Gala Dinner recently at The Royal Hospital Chelsea, London.

Celebrities and other guests turned out in force to support this prestigious event and helped to raise more than £75,000.

The charity is designed to help the homeless and traumatised Ex-Service personnel.

Guests listened to deeply moving first-hand accounts from former Warriors who spoke of their traumas and suffering and how they experienced significant changes after having participated in the Warrior Programme.

The panel was expertly chaired by the BBC's political correspondent, Carole Walker.

Adrian Anderson, himself a Warrior, sang one of his own songs, to great applause.

Jeanne Marine, girlfriend of Sir Bob Geldof, then sang a song especially dedicated to the Warriors (sung at a previous Warrior event with John Ilsley of Dire Straits).

Eva Hamilton MBE, from Butleigh near Somerton, (founder and director of the Warrior Programme), thanked everyone for their support and announced an appeal to raise £1m within the next two years in order to build a strong infrastructure, to roll out the programme nationally and to reach out to many more people in need.

During the three course dinner, guests were entertained by Trustee Katrine Boorman's lively auction skills, and Antonio Carluccio surprised everyone by going up on stage and offering to cook dinner for four in the successful bidder's own home.

Next up was Charley Boorman, and, just as it seemed the volume could go no higher, Bob Geldof stepped onto the stage and offered an additional auction prize - a photograph he had taken of Michael Jackson, taken 25 years ago to the very day when celebrating Band Aid's success.

This resulted in great excitement and frenzied bidding, with Gillian Anderson (X-files) taking the prize with a bid of £18,000.

As the auction concluded, everyone took to the dance floor to infamous Irish band, the Wild Colonial Boys, who rounded off the evening on a real high.

For more details of the programme visit www.thewarriorprogramme.org.uk

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