Stars align for Purnell’s charity bash

TV star Jimi Mistry and X Factor winner Sam Bailey have confirmed their return to the city later this year for Glynn Purnell’s Friday Night Kitchen.

Taking place on Friday October 6, the event will see Glynn Purnell joined on stage by a host of celebrity friends to create a delicious four course meal live in front of the audience.

The Friday night fundraiser, in aid of Cure Leukaemia, has big ambitions this year and is moving to The Vox, doubling its capacity from 400 to 800.

After cooking up a storm at the 2016 event, Jimi Mistry is one of the first guests announced for GPFNK17. A Birmingham School of Acting graduate, Jimi is best known for his roles in UK soaps Eastenders and Coronation Street, as well as roles on the big screen including East Is East, Blood Diamond, The Guru and Ella Enchanted.

He said: “I’m really happy to be involved in GPFNK again this year; last year was an incredible night and with this year being held at the Vox, I’m sure it will be bigger and better than ever, with some great people involved.

“As well as a fun Friday night out, it’s heart warming to know where the money is being spent; after hearing all about Cure Leukaemia last year, I am really excited to be involved in raising money for the Centre Redevelopment Appeal at GPFNK17.”

Also returning for GPFNK17 is X Factor winner Sam Bailey, who performed at last year’s event, Speaking at the event, Sam Bailey commented on the life-saving and changing work of Professor Charlie Craddock CBE, Co-Founder of Cure Leukaemia.

Professor Craddock is Director of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK, and Professor of Haemato-oncology at the University of Birmingham. He is also Director of the Centre of Clinical Haematology, which Cure Leukaemia is aiming to raise £1 million for this year, and which the proceeds from GPFNK17 will go towards.

With more celebrity guests to be announced in the coming months, Cure Leukaemia have also announced this year’s sponsors, including Birmingham Airport.

Paul Kehoe, Chief Executive of Birmingham Airport and President of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are delighted to be the headline supporter for this fantastic Birmingham event for the third consecutive year. Not only is Glynn Purnell’s Friday Night Kitchen fantastic fun, it is also raising funds for a tremendous cause.

“The work Cure Leukaemia supports here in Birmingham has an impact on a global scale and we, as a city, should feel proud to have a charity such as this on our doorstep.

“Funds raised from this event will go towards the charity’s £1m Appeal to fully fund the expansion of the Centre for Clinical Haematology which will not only bring new jobs and investment to the city but also help save more lives and hasten progress towards finding effective treatments for all forms of blood cancer within our lifetime, a truly inspirational goal.”

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