Thank you for supporting the Crystal Ball 2015

What a night! 

On Saturday 7th March 2015, 180 guests stepped inside the Hilton London Wembley, overlooking the iconic Wembley Stadium for an unforgettable evening of entertainment, amazing auctions and fine dining in support of Taylan’s Project.

With the help of Firebird Events, The Crystal Ball kicked off with a stunning drinks reception, before guests made their way into the beautiful ballroom that was decorated with crystals and candles.  Guests were treated to a sumptuous four course meal and fabulous night of entertainment and fun-packed fundraising.

With the help of generous donors, sponsors, supporters and guests the evening raised an incredible £31,500, with a further 40 guests pledging their commitment to raise at least £500 each in the next 12 months!  Awards were presented to over 15 people, in recognition of their incredible achievements and outstanding fundraising efforts, each of whom had raised at least £2,740 - which is what it costs to fund a day’s research at one of the Brain Tumour Research Centre’s of Excellence.

Taylan’s Project also presented a cheque for £180,000 to The University of Portsmouth, which will allow the continuation to fund a research fellow – Dr Rhiannon Lloyd at the University, for the next three years, as she continues with her invaluable work on Mitochondria. Rhiannon has already established herself at the Centre as an expert in her field when she was recruited to a Research Fellowship in the Brain Tumour Research Centre on 18th August 2012; almost three years after Taylan had passed away on 19th August 2009.

Her team have identified numerous small defects in the mitochondrial DNA of brain tumours and are investigating how they contribute to altered cancer cell metabolism, formation and sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs.

Rhiannon works on GBM tumours as well as studying paediatric brain tumours, including medulloblastoma and brainstem gliomas or DIPG - diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas, the type of brain tumour which took Taylan away from his family.  This work is significant for four other ongoing projects on paediatric brain tumours within the Portsmouth Centre.

An incredible array of auction lots, including exclusive signed Lewis Hamilton items, VIP trips to the Monaco Grand Prix, wine tasting holidays, beautiful pieces of art, exclusive wines, a signed Messi boot, Top Gear driving experiences, all inclusive long haul trips, golf at the K Club in Ireland, designer handbags, a chance to travel with FC Barcelona Players on a private chartered airplane and so much more money can’t buy experiences, were available to guests to win.

Jonty Hearnden - one of the most recognisable faces on TV when it comes to antiques and collectables, hosted the event and also the Live Auction raising thousands of pounds for Taylan’s Project.  Crystal Ball guests were entertained by the Palatine String Quartet – one of the most sought after string quartets within their field whom have toured with Pavarotti, Westlife, Sting, Emile Sande to name but a few.  Performing all over the world from corporate events and product launches to film premiers and even Royal weddings, Madhen once again gave us another floor filling performance which brought the house down!

Heartfelt speeches, presentations and pledges took place throughout the evening and one guest said "I can’t remember a night like it. I cried, I laughed, I learned, I met new people and danced until my feet hurt....but most of all I know many people, including me, made a personal commitment to raise awareness and money for the cause this year. Now the work starts for us!''

Figen and Andy – parents of Taylan, are overwhelmed and constantly in awe of the fantastic support received and the monies raised will make a huge difference, to helping to find a cure for brain tumours and will also able Taylan’s Project to continue supporting families and terminally ill children financially who are being cared for at The John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

They would like to sincerely thank each and every one of you for helping, attending, supporting, and sponsoring the event and continuously being part of such a worthy cause, in memory of such a wonderful child who is creating an incredible and lasting legacy which will help others.

Further photo's can be found via our Facebook Page

To see who kindly sponsored this event, please click here