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The stars come out, but it’s the Gem that shines

Bethan Dorsett
18/12/2007

A DAZZLING night in aid of a Rochdale charity proved to be a star-studded affair.

The celebrities lining up to help the Gem Appeal for its annual Christmas bash ranged from Loose Women star Jane McDonald and numerous Coronation Street and Emmerdale actors to Manchester United centre back Wes Brown.

Organised by ex-Street and Waterloo Road star Denise Welch and her Auf Wiedersehen, Pet actor husband Tim Healy, the bash at Cheshire’s Belfry Hotel had a distinctly Motown feel.

And it was not long before the crowd got carried away with the theme, according to Gem fundraiser Garry Whitworth.

"We had a mock Detroit street running through the marquee and an old fire engine," he said.

"A lot of the celebrity guests also got up and sang old hits, including Tricia Penrose from Heartbeat and Roxanne Pallet from Emmerdale, as well as Roy G Hemming, an original member of The Drifters. It was a phenomenal night."

The event raised over £78,000 for the appeal, which funds research into genetic diseases and was founded by Karen Johnson, whose late sons suffered from the incurable Hunter’s Syndrome.

"This was the biggest and best ball we ever had," said Mr Whitworth. "Some of the raffle prizes alone were so good, such as memorabilia signed by Marlon Brando.

"We also auctioned off nights at a hotel in Monte Carlo, which only normally takes bookings 12 years in advance, one of which went to Steve Gregson from Coronation Street.

"The highest bid for £6,000 was for a signed Oasis guitar."