On Saturday 23 November, we celebrated 25 years of Willow at the Willow Ball. Thanks to our generous supporters, we raised an amazing £295,000 on the night, enabling us to create more special days and lasting memories for seriously ill young adults. It was an evening full of inspiration and unforgettable moments.
The night began with incredible performances from Alfie Boe OBE and Mica Paris MBE, while hosts, Mary Nightingale and Natasha Kaplinsky OBE, ensured the event ran smoothly.
One of the highlights was honouring Bob Weston, the winner of our 2024 Willow at Heart Award. Bob’s unwavering support, both personally and through Weston Homes, has made a lasting impact on Willow’s work and it was an honour to be able to celebrate his efforts and commitment.
We were also moved by Ashley, a mum of two who is living with incurable breast cancer. Ashley and her husband Alex shared how their special day gave them chance to spend time with their family and create happy memories, receiving a standing ovation from all in attendance.
Later, Martin Bayfield took to the floor to lead our live auction. The room buzzed with excitement as guests placed their bids in the hope of winning coveted prizes including tickets to Wimbledon, a luxury weekend in Lymington and a VIP Boodles experience.
At the end of the night, the 2024 Willow Ball was closed by the Fully FunKtional band who had everyone on their feet.
We would like to use this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all of our partners, sponsors and supporters, who helped make the 25th Willow Ball a resounding success – we can’t wait to welcome you back soon.
Keep an eye on the Willow website and social media channels for updates on the 2025 Willow Ball!