Held at Luton Hoo, the fine dining menu was prepared for 280 guests by chefs including Vince O’Toole, Kevin Clark, Robert Chambers, Henry Brosi and Sarah Harnett. The evening was compèred by Brian Turner, who has supported the event for a number of years.

Heading up the brigade of chefs was Andrew Bennett MBE, executive chef from The Sheraton Park Lane Hotel, London.

Bennett and his wife Liz, who organised the event with the help of a team of volunteers, said: “This year’s dinner was called ‘1 in 3’ to highlight the desperate need for more palliative care for children. With limited resources, Keech Hospice can currently only support 150 children or just ‘1 in 3’, which means there are at least 250 families left to cope with a very sick child on their own.”

Mike Keel, chief executive of Keech Hospice Care added: "The evening was a huge success and thoroughly enjoyed by all. The generosity of those involved was incredible and we thank them all for giving up their time for free; from the talented chefs, the Barnfield College students who served for us and the wonderful Beechwood School choir, not to mention Luton Hoo for donating their venue. Organisers Andy and Liz Bennett all certainly gave us a night to remember whilst raising a magnificent £48,000 for Keech. Thank you to all!"