A SPARKLING and star studded fundraising event has raised more than £4,500 for a children’s hospital ward.

Owner of Maldon Furniture John Church and wife Rachel suffered weeks of stress and uncertainty when his son Jack was born 12 weeks premature three years ago on Christmas Day.

But thanks to the outstanding work of the nurses in the neonatal ward of Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, who care for the smallest and seriously ill babies, Jack made it through and is now living a happy childhood.

John and his colleagues at Maldon Furniture have been working to raise funds and support for the neonatal ward ever since.

The posh auction event was held at Vaulty Manor in Goldhanger on Saturday, with items including bi-plane experiences, artwork, designer leathers and signed merchandise from Robbie Williams, Formula 1 driver Mark Webber, artwork from Charles Bronson and various others selling for hundreds of pounds each.

After an emotional thank you video from Jack himself, John Church gave a speech saying the event had taken more than seven months of planning.

He said: “This wonderful night is a result of the incredible consistency and determination of the crew at Maldon Furniture.

“We sent 45,000 emails, and got 45 replies from celebrities and charity figures. It’s taken seven months for us to get here, but the response has been overwhelming.

“We, my family, are all so grateful to everyone here. I want to thank Neil Kirby, Killian Gilbride and Craig Spooner for being the greatest team I could ask for, and to you for coming.”

Joyce McIntosh, a nurse for the neonatal ward, also gave a speech. She said: “At Broomfield neonatal ward we help babies from Chelmsford, the Maldon district, Braintree and Witham plus places further afield. The demand is huge, and we cannot thank Maldon Furniture enough for their generosity, and to everyone for their donations.”

Also attending was Maureen Flanagan and Chris Lambrianou, former associates of the Kray Twins, who have donated and helped organise the event. Since serving time in prison, Mr Lambrianou has devoted his life to helping others through Christianity.

He said: “John and the others at Maldon Furniture are really humble guys who have done a great deal to help those children in hospital. This was a lovely little event and shows what great businessmen and philanthropists they are.”

Whilst the total amount raised is still being calculated, it is expected to be £4,500-£5,000.

Among the most bid for items included a signed gold boxing glove from Sugar Ray Leonard, which went for £310.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/premature-babies-at-broomfield.