Friday's good cause

On Friday, I was at the Dorchester again for an auction - many more and they'll begin to think I'm a resident. This time it was the Brain Tumour Research Campaign's Amber Ball, and like everyone in the charity business, their numbers were down from last year. However, Kevin O'Neill, a neurosurgeon, made a very moving speech which resulted in the auction raising more than £40,000 for this very worthwhile cause. I had an interesting evening as I was on the same table as Robert Powell, Sally Ann Field and Donal MacIntyre. I'm always fascinated by the celebrities who do their bit again and again for charity, while there are others who don't unless they are paid a fee.