ACTORS Sarah Parish and James Murray had a surprise up their sleeves at the annual fundraising ball in aid of their children's medical charity.

The pair were able to announce to guest at The Odd Ball that #2millionsteps campaign, launched in June 2016, had reached its £2 million target in partnership with Southampton Hospital Charity.

The £4.8 million Children’s Emergency and Trauma Department will open at University Hospital Southampton next year and will see the development of a state-of-the-art eight-bed observation area, 11 glass-fronted and sound proof cubicles and on-hand x-ray facilities.

It will also include the creation of a reception, triage and waiting area for young patients, access to resuscitation facilities via a new link corridor, a nurse practitioner room and will incorporate the children’s assessment unit.

 

The new facility will be spread across more than 1,390sqm and is expected to see more than 30,000 youngsters every year from across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Dorset, Devon, Wiltshire, Berkshire, West Sussex, Channel Islands and Oxfordshire.

Peter Hollins,chair of the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust Board, added: “"The Southampton Hospital Charity and The Murray Parish Trust have worked tirelessly and I would like to thank all those that gave up their time to raise money or donate funds. Everyone who has worked on and supported the appeal has been phenomenal.”

The ball held at the Hilton at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Saturday was hosted by Eastenders’ star Tamzin Outhwaite.

Tamzin said: “I am so delighted to support my friends and their incredible charity. Their monumental efforts, that will benefit so many children, are to be wholeheartedly congratulated on behalf of parents throughout the many counties that the new paediatric facilities will support. What a special night we have had celebrating this exciting news.”

This year’s theme was “Through the Looking Glass”

After a three course meal, guests were entertained by Taiko drummers, Parkwood School of Dance, ITV Britain’s Got Talent live finalists Faces of Disco, Stavros Flatley followed by a disco and dancing until 2am with Ibiza DJ Ed Bassett. Over £50,000 was raised on the night.

 

James and Sarah said: “Alongside the SHC, we are looking into how best to build upon our mission of advancing paediatric emergency medicine. We will be making a formal announcement soon, so watch this space!”

Law firm Paris Smith were the headline sponsor for the event which was also supported by Porsche, Norwegian Cruise Liners, Roger Walker Travel, Danebury Vineyards, Iconic Luxury Hotels, Lucketts Travel, Chapman IP, Barker-Mill Foundation and Jeremy France Jewellers.

The Murray Parish Trust was founded by actors Sarah Parish and James Murray in memory of their late daughter Ella-Jayne who died from a congenital heart defect in 2009.