Hollywood superstars Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas joined over 350 guests at the Noah’s Ark Appeal Gala Ball, held at the magnificent City Hall in Cardiff.

Our Patron Catherine, had spent the day meeting patients and families at the Children’s Hospital for Wales before donning a stunning ankle-length black dress and wowing guests at the ball.

Guests were welcomed with beautiful singing by school children from Ysgol Gymraeg Pwll Coch before settling down to a feast of Welsh rarebit, walnut bread with Carmarthen ham, sea trout in laverbread sauce, fillet of beef, crème brûlée and a Welsh cheese board.

The ball raised over £250,000 for the Noah’s Ark Appeal and lasted into the wee small hours after guests had been entertained by singer Bonnie Tyler and Last Choir Standing winners Only Men Aloud, with Master of Ceremonies Gordon Gray hosting the evening fantastically. Live band The Goodfellas continued the excellent entertainment as they played to a packed dance floor.

After the celebrations, Noah’s Ark Appeal Lyn Jones chairman said; “It was the most successful ball ever held in Cardiff and we thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Michael and Catherine must have shaken hands with everyone – they never refused an autograph or photo. And the speeches they both made were from the heart and without any notes. They spoke about the need for the children’s hospital and why they supported it.”