Masquerade Gala Ball raises £59,500 in support of charitable projects across Milton Keynes University Hospital

On Friday 17th October, the Milton Keynes community came together in dazzling style for our annual Masquerade Gala Ball—and what a night it was.

With over 200 guests filling the room with elegance, generosity, and heart, the atmosphere was nothing short of electric. From the moment the first mask was donned to the final dance, the evening was a celebration of compassion, connection, and commitment to enhancing care at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Thanks to the incredible kindness of our guests, supporters, sponsors, and volunteers, we raised £59,500 — funds that will directly support projects to improve experiences for patients, families, and staff across MKUH. These projects include:

• A year’s worth of visits to our children’s wards by a specially trained children’s entertainer.
  
• The refurbishment of a room where where sadly, patients undergoing cancer diagnosis are taken to receive bad news

• The creation of a “memory corridor” which links the main hospital to the new Oak Wards development, where a high percentage of our dementia patients will stay.

Highlights from the Gala included:

• Inspiring stories: Catherine Rose and Melanie Beck MBE moved the room with their powerful personal journeys as MKUH patients.

• Unforgettable entertainment: From the high-energy performances by the Romeo Dance Academy to the charismatic auctioneer James Lewis and our brilliant Master of Ceremonies Wes Venn, every moment sparkled.

And there are SO many people to thank for helping make our Gala Ball such a huge success.

Ready?

• The Milton Keynes Hospital Charity Events Committee: Chair Jan Flawn, Melanie Beck, Matt Cove, Martin Carmody and our very own, Vanessa Holmes
• James Lewis, our entertaining live auctioneer, helping us secure all of those amazing bids
• Wes Venn, our engaging Master of Ceremonies
• Our #TeamMKUH staff and volunteers who were kept very busy on their feet during the evening
• Heidi Travis, Chair of MKUH for her words of welcome to open the evening
• Catherine Rose and Melanie Beck, for sharing their very personal and moving stories of their own patient experience at MKUH
• Our sponsors: C and B Electrical Contractors, Geoffrey Leaver Solicitors, Oakwood Resources, Stratos, and Thorne Project Solutions
• All of the companies, friends, connections, and MKUH staff who donated raffle and auction prizes
• Every single person who purchased a Gala Ball ticket or table
• Our live auction team
• Staff and crew at DoubleTree by Hilton Stadium MK
• Our magnificent band who had everyone up dancing, Fan Club Party Band
• Our photographer for the evening, John Cooper who captured wonderful snaps our guests having a fantastic evening! Check out our gallery below or click here

Phew!

We told you we had a lot of people to thank.