Legendary rockers Kaiser Chiefs gatecrashed a star-studded gala charity event for Prostate Cancer UK, spearheaded by Simon Grayson, last Saturday.
The PNE boss unveiled the hit band as surprise guests at the glitzy charity bash on 18th March which raised over £42,000 for a charity close to his heart, Prostate Cancer UK.
While his event, which took place at the Queens Hotel in Leeds, promised ‘Live Entertainment’, his unsuspecting guests had no idea what the Deepdale boss had in store for them, and may well have uttered ‘Oh my God’ as halfway through the night the famed five-piece, well known for classic tunes such as I Predict a Riot and Ruby were introduced to the stage.
Having played the London 02 Arena and Leeds First Direct Arena just a couple of weeks prior, the multi-award winning chart-toppers never missed a beat as they gave Grayson and his far from angry mob a night to remember in aid of the leading men’s health charity Prostate Cancer UK.
Leeds United boss Gary Monk, Coronation Street actor Colson Smith and boxing champion Josh Warrington were amongst the 400 guests on the night, as well as the PNE management staff and a selection of first team players.
Ahead of the ball the band recorded a good luck message for Simon who will be taking part in the charity’s Football to Amsterdam bike ride, http://prostatecanceruk.org/amsterdam, and March for Men, http://marchformen.org, both of which take place in June. Simon has been a big supporter of the charity after his close friend Steve Garbett passed away from the disease in September 2014.
Front man, Ricky Wilson, who sported one of the charity’s iconic pin badges on the night said: “We want to say good luck to Simon Grayson, Team Garby, who’ve done a great job so far, and all the Football to Amsterdam riders using their pedal-power to get to Amsterdam.”
Grayson decided to put on the ball to raise funds for his 145 mile charity bike ride which he’ll be cycling alongside Steve’s son Dave and ‘Team Garby’, a group of friends and family who’ve tirelessly been fundraising together over the past few years in Steve’s name.
The £42,000 raised on the night has helped to smash Team Garby’s three-year fundraising target of £100,000. They’re now on £115,000 and are going to raise their target.
A number of exclusive prizes were on offer during the raffle and auction including a signed guitar from the band which was bought for £6,000 by Leeds boxing champion Warrington.
Other well-known faces attended the evening including current Leeds manager Monk and Grayson’s good pal and football pundit Mark Lawrenson whilst the evening was hosted by ex-Leeds midfielder John Stiles whose father Nobby Stiles was diagnosed with prostate cancer four years ago.
Grayson said: “I am delighted to support Prostate Cancer UK, a charity which is very close to my heart, and I’m looking forward to joining the ride for a second time in honour of my late friend Steve Garbett.
“’Garby’ was a really close pal, who followed my career as a player and latterly as a manager and was always there to offer me support and advice. In the last couple of years we’ve wanted to keep his memory alive and the ball on Saturday night was a brilliant demonstration of this.
“Garby loved the Kaiser Chiefs so to have them show up on the night and surprise all of the guests was a perfect way to celebrate his life with family and friends.
“I was honoured to host the night alongside Steve’s family. They’ve been instrumental in Team Garby’s fundraising and I know Steve would be so proud of them.”
Once back from Amsterdam, Grayson and members of Team Garby will be joining Sky Sports’ Jeff Stelling on his March for Men which sees Jeff take on 15 walking marathons in 15 days from Exeter to Newcastle. Simon and co will join Jeff on day 14 of the 15 day epic challenge which kicks off from Bedale and ends in Harrogate.
Prostate Cancer UK’s wider walking programme, March for Men, also includes a Local Walk in Leeds on Father’s Day (June 18th). Held over circa 2.5km, 5km and 10km, it will take place
Roundhay Park, LS8 2HH.
For information about taking part in the 2017 ride go to prostatecanceruk.org/amsterdam or contact the cycling team by calling 020 3310 7034 or emailing cycling@prostatecanceruk.org.
For more information about taking part in March for Men go to marchformen.org