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Last week, everyone at Caudwell Children was filled with appreciation and gratitude as The Butterfly Ball London 2025 raised an incredible £1,515,575, which will help disabled and autistic children thrive.
Held at the iconic Dorchester Hotel on 25th June, this unforgettable evening marked a very special milestone: 25 years of Caudwell Children transforming children’s lives.
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our guests, philanthropists and supporters, these vital funds will help us continue our mission to make sure every disabled and autistic child has the chance to reach their full potential. Whether it’s providing life-changing mobility and sensory equipment, therapies, or autism assessments, every penny raised will open doors to brighter, more independent futures for children and their families.
A Night to Celebrate
Our 25th anniversary Butterfly Ball was a true celebration of “Great Minds” coming together for one incredible cause. This year’s Ball, proudly sponsored by Burgess and Furrer Carrara, was curated by the incredible Paloma Faith, who not only served as musical director but also brought her signature magic to the stage. Guests danced the night away with legendary performances by Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge, alongside sets from Magic FM’s Neev Spencer and DJ Harriet Rose.
Stars including Tamzin Outhwaite, Donna Preston, Michelle Gayle, Brenda Edwards, Jonathan Wilkes, Olivia Cox, Lady Wilemnia Forsyth, Dominic Skinner, Nicholas Hamilton and Emhrys Cooper all joined us to show their unwavering support to children and families.
Putting Children and Young People at the Heart
The Butterfly Ball isn’t just a glamorous evening – it’s a chance to shine a light on the real, life-changing work that happens every day at Caudwell Children. Our wonderful CEO, Claire Marshall, shared stories of children who have thrived thanks to the support they’ve received. Seeing Rhys Walker, a proud beneficiary of our Shaping Futures employability programme, join our host Nick Ede on stage reminded everyone exactly why this night matters.
Claire captured it perfectly:
“I’m deeply moved by the extraordinary generosity shown by our guests and supporters at this year’s Butterfly Ball, especially as we mark a momentous milestone for Caudwell Children, 25 years of transforming the lives of disabled and autistic children. Experiencing my first Butterfly Ball as CEO is something I will never forget. The donations made will help to fund our vital, life-changing services, from mobility aids and sensory equipment to therapies and autism assessments. This evening wasn’t just about fundraising, but was an opportunity for us to open doors to brighter futures, giving children the chance to thrive.”
A Legacy of Life-Changing Impact
Our founder, John Caudwell, who started this charity in 2000, gave a moving speech reflecting on how far we’ve come together. From humble beginnings to the opening of our pioneering Caudwell International Children’s Centre,
“I feel immensely proud that, in 25 years of Caudwell Children, we have transformed the lives of thousands of children. Tonight’s Butterfly Ball is a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come. Seeing so many people come together with generosity, compassion, and belief in our mission fills me with deep gratitude. Every penny raised tonight will help us continue providing life-changing support to even more disabled and autistic children across the UK.”
Thank You for Giving Children the Chance to Thrive
From the luxury live auction with Charlie Ross to the unforgettable performances – The Butterfly Ball 2025 was a night that reminded us all what we can achieve when we come together for children who need us most.
To every donor, every guest, every sponsor, every volunteer – thank you. You are helping build a world where every child, regardless of their disability or diagnosis, can dream bigger, live more independently, and reach their amazing potential.
Here’s to the next 25 years of transforming lives – together.
