Orlando Bloom attends the ‘SERIOUSFUN’ London Gala

‘STARS’ COME OUT FOR PAUL NEWMAN’S ‘SERIOUSFUN’ CHILDREN’S NETWORK LONDON GALA

A glitzy line up of VIP guests graced The Roundhouse, London for the 2018 SeriousFun Children’s Network London Gala – a great evening in honour of the charity set up by the late actor and philanthropist Paul Newman to provide life-changing camp experiences to children living with serious illnesses and their families.

Orlando Bloom © Mike Marsland/Getty

Hosted by Natalie Pinkham, high profile attendees included Boy George, Orlando Bloom, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and Clea Newman, youngest daughter of Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman and Ambassador for SeriousFun.

Natalie Pinkham welcomed guests by reminding them of the global charity’s unlikely origin and incredible impact. “Thirty years ago, Paul Newman had one dream, a camp for kids with serious illnesses, a place where they could get just a bit of their childhood back.  Since 1988 there have been over a million camp experiences. Paul’s one dream has come true a million times over. Now that’s amazing.”

Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie © Mike Marsland/Getty

Orlando Bloom brought Hollywood glamour and style to the event. Rather than going straight to dinner Orlando spent time backstage with the SeriousFun campers. He shared tips on how to avoid stage fright and showed off his playful side when being grilled about what his favourite movie he has starred in was.

Orlando then took to the stage and delivered beautiful words to an enraptured audience about what makes SeriousFun camps so special, not only for the kids living with serious illnesses, but for families as well. “When it feels like your luck has run out, you wonder how you’ll ever put the pieces back together again.

That is when camp helps put the pieces back together, in whatever shape or form. SeriousFun treats the whole family, the parents, the brothers and sisters, everyone. The whole family is affected, so the whole family is looked after.”

Boy George © Mike Marsland/Getty

Guests were then roused by a brilliant performance from Boy George who brought his wit, eclectic style and infamous cackle to the stage. Getting all 400 plus guests to their feet with amazing renditions of some of his hit songs ‘Karma Chameleon’ and ‘Do You Really Want to Hurt Me’.

Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie

Orlando Bloom, children

Natalie Pinkham

Natalie Pinkham

Stephen Fry, Boy George, Hugh Laurie

Hugh Laurie

It was a night of double highlights as guests were then treated to a SURPRISE comedy performance from Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry and they took to the stage as the inimitable comedy double act Fry and Laurie.
Doing a perfectly timed, witty, sharp and hugely entertaining ‘Hedge Sketch’ Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry brought back the timeless humour of Fry and Laurie for the first time in nearly a decade.