A star-studded fundraising event - La Dolce Vita Christmas Ball - is taking place on Wednesday, 12th December at Battersea Evolution, London to raise money for DebRA, the national charity which supports individuals and families affected by the skin blistering condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).
Billed as the Christmas Party of 2007, live entertainment will be provided by World Music Award winner Billy Ocean, International Award Winner’s Amici Forever and Multi-award Winner Jamelia. La Dolce Vita has become famous for hosting celeb-packed parties in some of the world's most glamorous venues, and past guests have included the likes of David and Victoria Beckham, Bono, Rod Stewart, Charlotte Church, Elle Macpherson and Sting.
Guests will enjoy free-flowing champagne, a gourmet four-course dinner, a glittering after show party and the chance to rub shoulders with the jet set. Dinner will be rounded off by a 'Money Can't Buy' auction in aid of DebRA, La Dolce Vita's chosen charity for the evening, where guests will get a chance to bid for a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
There are at least 5,000 people living with EB, which causes the skin to blister and shear at the slightest friction, or even spontaneously, in the UK. EB has a number of distinct forms: at its mildest, blistering is confined to the hands and feet. In more severe cases, the whole body is affected and wounds heal very slowly, giving rise to scarring, physical deformity and significant disability. Blistering can also affect inner body linings, such as the mouth and oesophagus and, in its most advanced form, EB can be fatal in infancy.
Actor and DebRA supporter, Bill Nighy says: “Ever since I was alerted to the fact that it can take a mother 3-4 hours to dress her child every morning for fear of hurting them and since further discovering the immense distress caused by this terrible condition, I feel privileged to support DebRA. DebRA relies on fundraising events like La Dolce Vita to carry out its vital work, improving lives and giving hope to individuals and families living with EB.”
Founded in 1978, DebRA provides an expert team of nurses and social care staff to work directly with families affected by EB. The charity also commissions world-leading research into the condition with the aim of finding effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for EB. Because DebRA receives no government funding, DebRA relies on the generosity of the public to carry out its vital work, improving lives and giving hope.
Each table at the ball includes a champagne and cocktail reception, dinner, all drinks throughout the night including magnums of champagne and fine wines on each table. Tickets also include entry to the after show party and all drinks until 3am.
To book your table for La Dolce Vita Christmas Ball, please telephone Sue Powaza on 01344 771961 or email sue.powaza@debra.org.uk. A limited number of individual tickets may also be available on a first-come first-served basis.
For more information on DebRA and to view a short video clip showing the reality of living with EB please visit www.debra.org.uk.
