It was a glittering ocassion as theatre-goers mixed with royalty at the Daily Echo-backed Swing gala night for Wessex Heartbeat. Report by Fiona Griffiths
WESSEX Heartbeat promised a concert to top all concerts as it celebrated its tenth anniversary last night - and the 2,000-strong audience at Southampton's Mayflower Theatre was not disappointed.
The royal gala performance, backed by the Daily Echo, was a stunning evening of song, dance and comedy provided free to the charity by some of Britain's biggest and best names, which raised an incredible £50,000.
The money - together with £65,000 raised little over a week ago at the annual ball - will ensure Heartbeat can keep the momentum going in fine style as it enters its next decade of support for Southampton General Hospital's cardiac unit.
Wessex Heartbeat chief executive Alan Blair said: "The ball and this concert together are the two highest earning events we've ever had, and they've both come together in a week. It's absolutely amazing."
The Earl and Countess of Wessex arrived for last night's Swing From the Heart concert to be greeted by the evening's sponsors in the theatre foyer.
They also met five-year-old cardiac unit patient Annabelle Brown, who stole Sophie's heart when she presented the countess with a posy of white flowers.
Show compre Matthew Kelly introduced a programme of first-class entertainment, with dancing from the cast of West End shows The Full Monty and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, as well as some energetic moves from The Jiving Lindy Hoppers.
The Cruise star Jane McDonald performed a selection of her favourite songs, and Melanie Stace -perhaps best known as Jim Davidson's assistant on TV's Generation Game - sang hits from the musicals.
Andy Prior and his orchestra got everyone tapping and singing away in their seats to some big band tunes, and Brian Conley had the audience roaring with laughter at his crazy antics, jokes and impressions.
Afterwards he said: "Tonight was great, I really enjoyed it. I just think it's a such a wonderful charity and I was pleased to be a part of it."
Heartbeat patron Esther Rantzen, who was in the audience, said: "It was superb. For Wessex to have one of the best cardiac units in the country is a spectacular achievement for Heartbeat, and for all these stars to come out on a Sunday night is quite something."
Fellow patron and Hampshire and England cricketer Robin Smith, whose ten-year-old nephew Matthew is a cardiac unit patient, added: "It was a great evening. People have come out tonight to be entertained but also to support a wonderful charity."
The Earl and Countess of Wessex remain in Hampshire today to carry out a number of duties. They will visit Hordle Wal-hampton School, near Lymington, before opening a new health centre in Milford on Sea. The couple will then open the winter season at the Beatrice Royal Art Gallery in Eastleigh and then travel for a visit to King's College in Winchester.
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