Formula One’s Grand dinner spelled exuberance and grace
The Formula One is all about being larger than life. It spells exuberance, grace and glory. Its events are always an exhibition of elegance, style and flamboyance. Such was the grand traditional dinner held this Monday, six days before the British Grand Prix. This majestic dinner is a tradition carried every year in order to raise charity for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. The extravagant event was held at London’s Natural History Museum and hosted all the major players of the FIA family as well as big names from all walks of life. The event held at this extraordinary and breathtaking venue had some very special items on its auction list this year for which one could easily say that it was a once in a life time auction. The guests at the occasion proved it wholeheartedly as they could not wait to put their hands in their pockets and snatch the items immediately.
This year marked the sixth annual diner since they have set the tradition. The event every year celebrates the arrival of the F1 caravan in England as well as raises charity for the hospital. This year money was raised especially for the new heart and lung centre of the hospital. The event is hosted by the Formula One president, Bernie Ecclestone and is sponsored by Santander, which is also the title sponsor of the 2010 Formula 1 Santander British Grand Prix.
As this year’s grand night unfolded Ecclestone expressed his joy telling that he feels great being a part of the enormous cause of extending Formula One support towards the Great Ormond Street Hospital. He added that it had been so many years now that it has become one of the most awaited eves of the Formula One Calendar besides the races.
The major delights of the auction this year had been the 2006 BMW Sauber Formula One car, which was a very gracious act of the team to have given it for auction, also the Gold & Tantalum Hublot Aerobang watch which has a very limited edition excited many in the crowd. Also the race lovers expressed their craze for a week’s work experience at Mercedes GP which is for sure an opportunity of ‘once in a lifetime’. The bidding was very expertly handled by the skilled auctioneer Charlie Ross, who was fast and furious. The event was overall a great success as they were able to bank a total of over £500,000 just in a night.
Well, as far as the celebrations are concerned not very often one could witness such an array of stars from all the major fields like entertainment, sport, and show business, glittering and glazing under the same roof. The event was further graced by TV presenters and hospital patrons, Tess Daly and Vernon Kay, along with Tamara Ecclestone and her sister Petra, the daughters of Bernie Ecclestone. Tamara, who is also a model, was the creative director of the event and her aesthetics had been praised and admired by everyone immensely.
Holly and Sam Branson, Hardeep Singh Kohli, the famous Indian comedian, and several TV stars like Fiona Bruce, Gabby Logan, Tina Hobley and Kirsty Gallacher also glittered bright the entire evening. Other actors that dignified the evening were Tom Chambers and DJ Henry Holland. What served as cherry on the cake at the evening’s celebrations was the famous pop band The Sugababes, who thrilled and electrified the guests with their exciting numbers. There were also some Formula One stars present at the event including Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, Kamui Kobayashi, the BMW Sauber’s driver and Eric Boullier, the team principal of Renault.
Overall, the night not only presented the might of Formula One but also their enduring assistance for the Great Ormond Street Hospital. As the Formula One caravan heads towards the Silverstone Circuit many of the hospital’s patients as well as staff members are expected to attend the race.
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