David brought together an array of celebrity friends at the event in London which he hosted, ahead of running the London Marathon in memory of his friend, Allison Gordon Parry, who died of secondary breast cancer in May 2024.
Held at The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, the event saw comedian Alan Carr, fashion icon Gok Wan and Eastenders’ current Queen Vic landlady Harriet Thorpe, join David to honour their friend through a night of entertainment and fundraising.
David, who played Carter Shepherd in Hollyoaks as well as Dom Copeland in Holby City, will join more than 56,000 runners taking part in London Marathon on Sunday 26 April, an event set to break the record for the largest marathon in the world.
Speaking at the event, David said: “In our last ever conversation, I said ‘I want to run the London marathon for you’ and Allison chose the charity Breast Cancer Now. She said to me she will be on my shoulder the whole way round – so I can’t back out now!
“Breast cancer has touched my life, and it will continue to do so for many people, but hopefully everything we’re doing this evening will help people going through it. Allison was one of a kind, even while undergoing treatment and the exhausting effects of chemo, she would give you pearls of wisdom. Her presence was a hug.”
Alan Carr, who hosted the raffle and donated his iconic boiler suit from Amanda and Alan’s Italian Job, as well as a jacket he wore on Ru Paul’s Drag Race, said: “I’m so delighted to support David, who is one of my best friends, and this incredible cause. David’s running 26 miles and all I had to do was pull some raffle tickets out a bucket, but it’s all in aid of the incredible charity, Breast Cancer Now.”
Gok Wan, who donated four tickets to see Mariah Carey at Brighton Pride, where he will also be DJing, paid tribute to Allison, saying: “Allison was my best friend. She was incredible, funny, bright and intelligent. I knew from the minute I met her that she was going to be the love of my life. She was my soulmate. She can’t be with us tonight but she’s here in this room with us. The money you donate to Breast Cancer Now will help people going through a similar journey.
“Times are tough for many, and I know asking you to part with your money is a huge ask, but if you could have one less coffee, take one less taxi, forego that extra glass of wine...then your money will quite literally change people’s and families lives.”
Gok recently shared a post on Instagram to mark Allison’s birthday, which said: “I would give all the music on earth to hear you laugh again.”
The event featured live performances from singer Kelli-Leigh and Tom Duern, as well as a raffle, with prizes including a dinner with both Alan Carr and David Ames and tickets to the Britain’s Got Talent live final donated by judge Amanda Holden. All the funds raised will be donated to Breast Cancer Now, the leading research and support charity, helping to transform the outlook for anyone affected by breast cancer.
Claire Rowney, chief executive at Breast Cancer Now, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to David for putting on this show-stopping event in memory of his beloved friend Allison to raise money for Breast Cancer Now.
“Right now, we’re funding 80 cutting-edge research projects worth over £27 million. The money raised through the support of David’s incredible marathon efforts will help us to tackle secondary breast cancer, develop better treatments, diagnose breast cancer early, and improve people’s quality of life following a diagnosis.”
David is running the 2025 London Marathon for Breast Cancer Now. To sponsor him, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/david-ames-1722438153388
Pictures by Denis Robinson and Marina at Royal Vauxhall Tavern.