Footballing legend Andy Cole hosted a star-studded charity gala to raise funds for vital research into kidney disease last night bringing together famous faces from the world of sport and television. The Andy Cole Gala was hosted at The Dorchester in London in aid of the charity Kidney Research UK.
Andrew Cole in front of the iconic Premiere League trophy at the Andy Cole Fund gala dinner last night – credit Matt Crossick photography
The former Manchester United and Newcastle player caught a virus while on a trip to Vietnam in 2014 and was later diagnosed with a rare kidney condition.
Despite treatment, his kidneys eventually failed. He then had a life-changing transplant in 2017, when his nephew, Alexander Palmer, became his kidney
donor. Andy set up the Fund with Kidney Research UK in 2020 to raise money for
research into preventing transplant rejection and making transplants possible for more people – and into the best ways to support patients’ mental health and wellbeing.
Andy Cole said: ”Becoming
a kidney patient is the toughest battle I’ve ever endured, but it has also pushed me to want to change things and improve the lives of other kidney patients.
Visiting the Kidney Research UK labs in Bristol was the spark for the Fund. The research reassured me that I’m not the only one going through this. I could completely identify with young patients who described their symptoms and how they felt. That hope has really helped me to come to terms with my condition.
The Gala has been an opportunity to raise vital funds for Kidney Research UK and to appreciate how research can change lives.”
Former Premier League star Fabrice Muamba was in attendance alongside fellow athletes – credit Matt Crossick photography
The evening was hosted by ITV News arts editor Nina Nannar. Nina shared her family’s story for the first time since her husband Steve Ronson, who had been fighting kidney disease, sadly passed away earlier this year.
ITV arts editor Nina Nannar hosts the star-studded event – credit Matt Crossick photography
Some of the famous faces that attended the evening included former footballers, Sol Campbell, Jermaine Defoe and Fabrice Muamba alongside ITV newsreader Julie Ethingham and BAFTA award winning writer Helen Serafinowicz.
Two-time Premier League champion Sol Campbell completed the footballing line-up – credit Matt Crossick photography
The black-tie event kicked off with talks from Andy himself and former footballer and fellow kidney patient Wayne Andrews.
The evening was enhanced with performances from London-based acapella group, The Gold Vocal Collective (as seen on the X-Factor), a traditional steel band Solid Steel, and the Black Living Donor Choir. The after party featured a set from former BBC Radio 1 presenter DJ Spoony.
