Home News Local & Flintshire News

Sir Tom Jones performs at Help for Heroes ball organised by Deeside businessman

Nov 25 2010 by Gary Porter, Flintshire Chronicle

SIR Tom Jones and Dame Edna Everage were the star-studded performers at a spectacular charity bash held by the founder of Deeside-based Iceland Foods.

Malcolm Walker organised the lavish ball, which helped to raise £1.5m for Help for Heroes, to mark the 40th anniversary of the opening of the company’s first ever store.

The multimillionaire hosted the event on the grounds of his Old Hall mansion in Broxton, near Chester, on Thursday night.

And to the amazement of regulars at the nearby Olive Grove pub in Nantwich Road, Sir Tom Jones – who was a surprise guest at the party – popped in for a pint of bitter just moments before his performance.

Stunned landlord David Hughes told the Chronicle: “It was a big surprise! He was a nice guy, really down to earth.

“He was in for about 20 minutes and posed for a few photographs. He had a chat and a bit of a laugh and a joke but kept it low key.”

About 350 people attended the event, which included fireworks and water lasers, with suppliers paying £25,000 for a table.

The money raised from each table was then added to the £740,000 already raised by Iceland staff during the course of the year.

Mr Walker said: “It is truly staggering that we have been able to raise so much money in the current economic climate.

“This is a tribute to the truly inspirational work of Help for Heroes and the outstanding example of the incredibly brave young men and women that the charity exists to support.”

Help for Heroes CEO and co-founder Bryn Parry said: “We value every donation, but the contribution made by Iceland is extraordinary.

“I could not believe it when I heard that they had raised £1.5m and had done so with minimal fuss, just got out and done it.”

Share

Related Stories

Related Tags

(What's this)