Cheryl Tweedy has shared her thoughts on an 'intensely emotional' night after the remaining members of Girls Aloud fulfilled Sarah Harding's dying wish. On Saturday night Cheryl, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh and Nadine Coyle hosted a fundraising gala for cancer research in memory of their late bandmate.
Sarah's Primrose Ball was held at The Londoner hotel in central London on Saturday, October 8, with performances from the likes of Olly Alexander and a live auction that included an original canvas depicting the pop star by artistic duo the Connor Brothers. Liam Payne was also seen in attendance supporting ex-Cheryl, with whom he shares son Bear.
The event comes just over a year after Sarah, who shot to fame alongside Kimberley, Cheryl, Nadine and Nicola in Girls Aloud in the earlier noughties, died aged 39 in September 2021 after revealing she had breast cancer which had spread to other parts of her body.
Taking to Instagram on Monday (October 10), after it was rumoured the gala night brought in £400,000 and counting for Christie NHS Foundation Trust, based in Withington, Manchester, and Cancer Research UK, as part of the Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal, Cheryl shared a series of pictures from the event.
It showed the mum-of-one arriving at the sparkling event for Sarah alongside her former bandmates and friends. Cheryl, 39, looked elegant in a full-length, halterneck black gown which she accessorised with a bright prink clutch bag and wore her hair in a classic up-do.
She also shared pictures of the performers on the night including Years and Years' Olly who performed Girls Aloud classics Call The Short and The Promise as well as Will Young on stage with Ferne Cotton after he performed a stunning rendition of I'll Stand By You which the girl group covered in 2004.
"After an intensely emotional (& quite stressful) year of planning & organisation we managed to fulfil our last promise to Sarah," Sarah typed alongside the string of photos which also included Nicola singing in tribute to her late friend and bandmate. "None of us can fight this awful disease by ourselves but by coming together, leaning on each other and fighting side by side we can surely try.
"We are deeply grateful and touched by each person that helped in our endeavour and are incredibly proud to say we have reached our target goal, making us able to fund the entire study !!.. and also help in other ways for those currently suffering through harsh treatments."
She then shared her 'Thank Yous' writing: "To our host Fearne Cotton, and special guest performers Ricky Wilson, Will Young and Olly Alexander you have no idea how much weight you lifted off of our shoulders and how much light & warmth you brought into that room. I will be forever grateful for your time & generosity.
"Every single attendee & person that contributed in any way no matter how big or small THANKYOU! You have literally helped in the fight to change the lives of others!!"
The Fight For This Love singer also shared a positive update on the pyjama range Girls Aloud have collaborated on with 50% of all sales being split between the Christie NHS Foundation Trust and Cancer Research UK. "Our pjs are also flying off the shelves .. which means the people still suffering can be helped in Sarah’s honour too - the more we raise the more can do to help others with breast cancer," she said.
Cheryl then ended her moving message: "I am blown away that even in these current times & circumstances people are still willing to think of how to help support others in this continuous fight. We’ll get there together. One step at a time." The post was then quickly flooded with supportive messages from fans.
@conor_becks said: "What you girls are doing is amazing!!" @amps03 shared: "You should all be very proud of yourselves. Coming together in difficult circumstances for a great cause and in memory of Sarah. Lovely words." @the_spiciest_ginger wrote: "Made me tear up. God bless you all. Sarah, we miss ya girly."
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