The upper classes graced the stately Bayham Hall in Lamberhurst this month to take part in a Downtown Abbey themed ball in aid of the Anthony Nolan charity.
‘Dukes’, ‘Duchesses’, veterans of the Great War and even the ‘help’ all dug deep to raise over £12,000 for the charity which helps those with blood cancer.
The inspiration behind the ball was Poppy Bobbetts, 16, who in January became seriously ill from Aplastic Anae-mia, a form of cancer which only a suit-able bone marrow transplant can cure.
With no family member eligible, Anthony Nolan managed to match Poppy with donor Jacques Van Niekerk from the United States, who spoke of the proce-dure as a guest speaker at the event.
Family friend and organiser Alison Exall said: “Poppy is incredibly brave and still has a long way to go as the next two years are critical. Her immune system is working on zero – so she must avoid common winter bugs and flu.”
