Auctioneer Duncan Moir found himself in front of the podium rather than behind it at the annual Story of Christmas Appeal, as he bid successfully for an encounter with baking legend Mary Berry.
Allsop partner Moir won a selection of books written and signed by Berry, as well as an opportunity to be photographed with her. Meanwhile, at the 38th annual fundraising event, supported by Estates Gazette, property industry guests bid for lots including getaways, theatre evenings and the chance to meet Dame Judi Dench.
Festivities began with a service at St George’s Hanover Square Mayfair, where stars of TV, screen and stage, including Freddie Fox, Imogen Stubbs, Ian Hislop and Sir Derek Jacobi read Christmas poems. The band and fanfare trumpeters of the Irish Guards, plus the choir of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, filled the church with spirited renditions of popular Christmas carols.
The event, at the Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane, W1, in December, raised £365,000 towards capital projects for homeless and disadvantaged children in London.
See the stars and other highlights of the evening at estatesgazette.com/videos
