On October 30th, members of the glitterati will gather for an evening of glitz and glamor in support of a good cause as the British animal welfare organization Battersea Dogs & Cats Home holds its annual Collars & Coats Gala Ball.
Taking place at Battersea Evolution in Battersea Park, a Doggie Guard of Honour comprised of canines who are currently residing at the renowned rescue charity’s facilities will greet guests on the red carpet.
Guests included Battersea’s four celebrity ambassadors who previously joined together to help launch a kennel appeal in March 2014– Paul O’Grady MBE (who shines a spotlight on the registered charity in the award-winning documentary series Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs), international supermodel David Gandy, Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden and children’s author Dame Jacqueline Wilson OBE (who adopted a puppy from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home). Other animal-loving luminaries lined up for the event include:
- former Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Anthony Head
- Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood
- Fashion designer Julien Macdonald
- Actress Sarah Parish (The Wedding Date, Breathless)
- Actress Angela Griffin (Inspector Lewis, Coronation Street)
- Sue Perkins (The Great British Bake-Off)
- Actress Amanda Burton (Waterloo Road)
- Arlene Phillips (judge on Strictly Come Dancing, So You Think You Can Dance)
- Hilary Devey (Dragons’ Den)
- Cheska Hull (Made in Chelsea)
- Ollie Locke (Made in Chelsea)
- Alexandra Burke (fifth season winner of The X Factor)
- Actress Rosie Marcel (Holby City)
- Actor Jules Knight (Holby City/doting Dad to a dog from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home)
- Carley Stenson (Hollyoaks)
- Nicky Clarke (hair stylist to the stars)
The soundtrack to the Spot-centric soiree will include the heartstring-tugging music of platinum-selling violinist Vanessa Mae; Heather Small, the former lead singer of M People, who will croon soulful tones; Dave Arch and the Strictly Come Dancing Band are also scheduled to make toes tap, while the golden pipes of the all-girl group The Tootsie Rollers (seen in the photo above) will take guests back to the golden era of radio classics.
Commemorating the centenary of World War I, this year the Collars & Coats Gala Ball will salute Battersea’s dogs past and present who have served their country in the Army, RAF, Border Force and the police force.
Tickets for the Collars & Coats Gala Ball benefited Battersea Dogs and Cats Home’s ongoing mission to help the approximately 9,000 companion animals who arrive each year at its three centers in London, Barnds Hatch, Kent and Old Windsor, Berkshire.
The following video offers a look back at the 2013 Collars & Coats Gala Ball:
Photo Credit: Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
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