Football stars out in force to help raise cash for coma girl
A host of celebrities turned out for a fund-raising event put on by a family desperately trying to bring their daughter who is in a coma closer to home.
Chris Tarrant, former Saints striker James Beattie, footballing legend Matt Le Tissier and Johnny Depp's angels, who raise funds in the actor's name, were among the 250 guests who attended the gala ball at Macdonald Botley Park Hotel and Country Club.
It was organised by the family of 18-year-old Sophie Wilkinson who was involved in a car accident last October and has been in a coma ever since.
Her parents Andrew and Alison Wilkinson, of Eddington Close, Bishop's Waltham, set up a charity called Sophie's Gift to raise thousands of pounds for the neurological unit that cared for their daughter for several months at Southampton University Hospital NHS Trust.
They hope to purchase a much-needed mobile CT scanner, without which patients like Sophie have to be transferred to the nearest specialist unit – a 190-mile round trip away in Bath.
With a fund-raising target of 250,000, Sophie's family pulled out all the stops.
An auction touted top lots such as a guitar signed by U2 and a picture of the Beatles with Muhammad Ali signed by the boxer.
Others who attended the event were James Beattie, ex-Saints boss Lawrie McMenemy and Leon Crouch. James Beattie said: 'If we can just do a small amount to help then it's worth it.'
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Friday 25 May 2012
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