A charity event supported by Sir Ian McKellen raised over £15,000 for the Albert Kennedy Trust on Sunday.
The Interlaw Diversity Forum's annual Winter Carnival was held at London's private members club, No5 Cavendish Square, in aid of gay and lesbian homeless teens throughout Britain.
The black tie event - which included a champagne reception, three-course meal and charity auction - was co-hosted by AKT patron McKellen, with support from Kristian Digby, Jodie Harsh, Brian Paddick and comedian Sandi Toksvig.
The opportunity to have a photograph taken with McKellen, which would later appear in OK! Magazine, was offered twice - raising almost £2,000 alone.
A luxury weekend at the Munuro Resort in Paris (donated by www.60by80.com), a years membership to No5 Cavendish Square, ten pilates sessions and one hour massage donated by Pilates K, plus a private tour of the Simmons and Simmons Contemporary art collection helped raise an additional £13,000.
Jonathan Penny, Fundraising and Communications Officer for the Albert
Kennedy Trust, told PinkPaper.com: “Homophobic prejudice is still rife in society
today, and as a result many young gay people face rejection by family
or peers. Too often, some of these people are forced out on the
streets. The funds raised this weekend will enable us to help provide safe
housing and a supportive environment for young people who otherwise
would be in grave danger.”
AKT was set up to help homeless LGBT’s after Albert Kennedy fell to his
death 20 years ago from a Manchester multi storey car park, after being
chased by a group of homophobic youths.