This year?s Radio Clyde Cash for Kids lunches raised over ?400,000 with a little help from the radio station?s jet-set friends at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow on Friday 9th December.
Travis frontman Fran Healy flew up from London to perform a special unplugged session after the lunch and this prompted Sir Tom Hunter to donate an additional ?100,000 to Cash for Kids to show his appreciation.
Showing typical Glasgow spirit, PricewaterhouseCoopers Scotland chairman, Frank Blinn, also pledged his support to Cash for Kids by agreeing to shave off his moustache for the right price. It took ?80,000 and some persuasion from Sir Tom Hunter and Optical Express owner David Moulsdale, who were on hand with razors and shaving foam to help Frank part with his 30 year old moustache.
Scotland?s first lady of music, Lulu, had to try three different London airports before she eventually managed to board a plane for Glasgow. After performing an energetic version of her much-loved song ?Shout?, the star also revealed that she is to support Take That on their UK tour next year.
Ex-Blue star Antony Costa flew in from the Australian jungle to give an exclusive performance of his yet to be released debut single. The singer, who had to endure extreme conditions in the ?I?m a Celebrity?? jungle, revealed that he jumped at the chance to perform at Cash for Kids, saying:
?I knew about this gig before I went into the jungle and I?d just like to say thanks very much to Cash for Kids for having me.?
Scots rockers El Presidente had to battle the winter weather to perform at the event as their flight was delayed due to fog. When the group finally arrived in Glasgow, they didn?t disappoint as they performed ?Without You? from their eponymous album, a cover of Prince?s hit song ?Raspberry Beret and their forthcoming single, ?Turn This Thing Around?.
Long-time Cash for Kids supporters Hue & Cry closed their set with a rendition of Beyonce?s ?Crazy In Love?, Jim Diamond made a surprise appearance to perform ?Hi Ho Silver? and Kubb proved a hit with the audience, especially DJ Suzie McGuire who said the boys were ?just a bit gorgeous!?
The first Cash for Kids lunch of 2005, also held at the Hilton on Friday 2nd December, had already raised ?96,992.89 and featured performances from chart-topping acts Girls Aloud, McFly, Liberty X, Darren Hayes and Jem. Held only a week later, the second lunch surpassed all expectations as donations smashed the ?400,000 barrier.
Special donations were made by Richard Caring, owner of The Ivy and Wentworth Golf Club, who pledged ?50,000, and Britain?s richest man, Philip Green, donated ?25,000 to the charity.
Radio Clyde Managing Director Paul Cooney said:
?After a great event last week we were overwhelmed once again this week with how much support was shown our second Cash for Kids lunch. It’s?s great to see Lulu, Hue & Cry, El Presidente, Antony Costa and Kubb take time out from their busy schedules to support such a great cause.?