Footballing legend Andy Cole will host a star-studded charity gala to raise funds for vital research into kidney disease on Thursday
3 November 2022. The Andy Cole Fund Gala will bring together famous faces from the world of sport and television at The Dorchester, London.
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 is an opportunity to raise vital funds for Kidney Research UK and to appreciate how research can change lives.”
Logo
Description automatically generated
The evening will be hosted by ITV News arts editor Nina Nannar. Nina will be sharing 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.
After a champagne reception, the black-tie event will include talks from Andy himself and former footballer and fellow kidney patient Wayne Andrews. A
luxurious three-course meal reflecting the flavours of the Caribbean will be served alongside performances from London-based acapella group, The Gold Vocal Collective (as seen on the X-Factor), traditional steel band Solid Steel, and the Black Living Donor
Choir. The after party will feature a set from former BBC Radio 1 presenter DJ Spoony. Guests can have their photo taken with the iconic Premier League trophy and bid on money-can’t-buy auction prizes including the chance to be a matchday mascot and walk
out with the whole Manchester United team at Old Trafford.
Attendees will hear insights into the latest innovations in kidney research from Cambridge University’s Professor Mike Nicholson. Mike and his team recently
made headlines across the country after successfully changing the blood type of three donor human kidneys, potentially making a transplant a realistic proposition for more people who are harder to match.
Proceeds from the Andy Cole Fund Gala will fund innovative research selected by Kidney Research UK, to improve patient outcomes for years to come.
Sandra Currie, chief executive of Kidney Research UK, said: ”Andy’s
experience reveals that even the most physically active people cannot outrun kidney disease. With his support and the investment from the Andy Cole Fund, we will transform treatments and give kidney patients hope for a better future.”
Places are still available for the night, with individual tickets starting at
£200 and table packages available.
For more information on the Gala and ticketing options, visit the Kidney Research UK website at: https://www.kidneyresearchuk.org/fundraising-events/andy-cole-fund-gala
