Delegates from Alicante and Alfaz Council with organisers

Yesterday saw many of Benidorm's popular entertainers turn out in force to support a fundraising Gala night at the Rober Palce Hotel in Albir.
The event was the brainchild of two local ex-pat residents - Rada Haupt and Melanie Howell together with the help of Phil Howell and David Pearce aka Miss Shape of the Rich Bitch Show Bar. Phil and David are both well known on the Benidorm entertainment circuit and it is they who organised all the entertainers for the evening - who all gave their time FREE of charge.

The girls also managed to amass a wide selection of prizes for the raffle and secret auction, which were donated by many local businesses and included restaurant meals, beauty treatments and tickets to many of Benidorms attractions - Benidorm Palace, Circus, Terra Mitica and Mundomar.

Cameo cast waiting in the wings!

Representatives of "AFA Marina Baixa", Benidorm Alzheimers Association attended as did officials from Alfaz Town Hall - Amanda Allan and Elizabeth Marandi together with Geno Tent of the Diputacion de Alicante
AFA is the association which gives help and support to the families and careers of those affected by Alzheimers and they were overcome with emotion at the turnout and support for the association.

The evening was opened by Beverley Fox who delighted the audience with her amazing voice. Then followed act after act including Cheryl Louise who does a Cher tribute act in Benidorm and is also DJ at a local radio station, Ricky Dale, Jenny Renn - one of the funniest female comedians ever and a visual delight from the Cameo Entertainers - who danced and wowed the crowds.

Me with Jenny Renn

I spoke to the Cameo ladies as they waited outside for their slot to discover that they had come all the way from the Moraira and Teulada area of the Costa Blanca. The group does many charity functions and were delighted to be asked to participate in this very worthy cause - as one lady said "You never know when you may need their help" ... so true! Racks of colourful costumes lined the path for the many numbers they were to perform.

I caught up with Jenny Renn after her appearance as she was gathering her bits to go onto her next venue in Benidorm, where she was on at 11.30pm! She certainly doesn't stop.... and is always volunteering her time for local charities. Every Wednesday she helps out at the local MABS  (Cancer support) drop-in centre - although fortunately never affected by the disease herself she goes to help cheer up those that are "I love to put a smile on peoples faces" she told me.

Well done and congratulations to everyone who took part in this worthwhile fundraiser. Rada and Melanie think that they have raised in the region of 2500€, adding to the proceeds from Rada's Sunday stall at El Cisne rastro. They would like to say a huge thank you to all the entertainers, those local businesses that donated prizes, Beni Connect for providing a coach but most of all the public for their support.