Battersea's fundraising ball goes off with a bang
Ambassadors Paul O'Grady and Amanda Holden hosted the ball.
CELEBRITIES from stage, screen, sport, fiction and fashion have donned their finest outfits to walk down the red carpet in aid of Battersea Dogs and Cats' Home.
The Battersea Dogs and Cats' Home's (BDCH) Collars and Coats Gala Ball 2013 had a theme of "Hollywoof", in homage to the golden age of cinema. Guests on the red carpet were welcomed by a canine guard of honour as 50 of the charity's dogs awaiting rehoming lined the way for guests.
The event was hosted at Battersea Evolution in London by BDCH ambassadors and TV favourites Amanda Holden and Paul O’Grady MBE and was presided over by Prince Michael of Kent, GCVO and Princess Michael of Kent.
Celebrity guests included Battersea ambassador and international supermodel David Gandy, author Dame Jacqueline Wilson, OBE, football legend Gary Lineker and his wife Danielle and dance aficionados Craig Revel Horwood and Arlene Philips. The canine cute factor was provided by Pudsey, accompanied by his owner Ashleigh Butler.
Along with a Champagne cocktail reception and three-course dinner, guests were wowed by posters featuring Battersea dogs and staff, mimicking legendary movie star mutts, promoting the Hollywoof themed gala ball, while an 18-piece big band and showgirls provided the glamorous backdrop.
Other highlights included an exclusive auction with an array of luxury gifts. Craig Revel Horward took to the stage to encourage guests to show their generosity for the “heads and tails” fundraising drive.
Among the prizes was a money-can’t-buy opportunity to go for a walk in the park with Hollywood movie star, Oscar winner Jeremy Irons, swoon at international supermodel David Gandy and a stroll with chart-topping singer, Mollie King.
Speaking after the event, Battersea's chief executive Claire Horton said: “Our vintage Hollywood-themed Collars and Coats Ball was an unforgettable night, bringing together glitz, glamour, much-loved celebrities and of course the true stars of the show, our very special Battersea dogs who greeted our guests on the red carpet. Collars and Coats is Battersea’s biggest fundraiser and this year’s spectacular event delivered one of our best shows yet and helped us raise essential funds for the thousands of animals that come through our doors every year.”
It costs more than £18m to run BDCH each year, and with no government funding, the Collars and Coats Gala Ball helps increase awareness of the charity's work that offers a second chance to thousands of animals. Last year nearly 9,000 dogs and cats needed BDCH's care to help find them the best new homes.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
