A GLAMOUROUS event which saw a world-class ex-football manager wow audiences has raised nearly £12,000 for charity.

The sports marketing agency Synonymous hosted ‘an evening with Harry Redknapp’ at Braxted Park which helped raise £11,853.55 for the Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation.

Harry, 76, is best known for having managed national football teams like AFC Bournemouth, West Ham United, Portsmouth, Tottenham Hotspur, whilst also having played for teams across the 1960s and 1970s.

More than 360 guests attended from Essex and London, attendees were treated to a delicious three-course meal, Q&A session, raffles, auctions, and a speech from the Harry.

Gazette: The man - Harry RedknappThe man - Harry Redknapp (Image: Synonymous)

Lucky VIP guests were even able to enjoy a special reception where Harry and the event’s host, Ronnie Irani, mingled.

Funds were raised for different charities like Prostate Cancer UK, which took £600 on the night, raising the total figure to £12,000.

However, the main attention was on the Tom Bowdidge Foundation, a Colchester-based charity that Harry became the first ever patron of in 2019, after Tom’s father, Richard Bowdidge, met Harry at a book signing in London.

The foundation founded in 2014 by Richard and Niki Bowdidge, Tom’s parents, as a way of carrying on his legacy.

Gazette: Family - A previous photo of Nikki, Tom, Emma, and Richard BowdidgeFamily - A previous photo of Nikki, Tom, Emma, and Richard Bowdidge (Image: Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation)

Niki is the CEO of the charity and Richard is the chairman, the couple are extremely thankful to both Harry and Synonymous for helping raise funds.

Niki said: “It was a truly special evening as we saw our patron light up the marquee and share such a strong show of support for the work we do.

“We are very grateful to the team at Synonymous and everyone that took part in the ‘Evening with Harry Redknapp’ for the incredible fundraising effort.”

Richard added: “I may have lost my voice on the evening rallying support for the raffle and all the fundraising on the night, but I was still able to soak up the atmosphere and share our story on stage in a special moment thanks to our patron, Harry.

Gazette: Fun - Over 360 guests attended the eveningFun - Over 360 guests attended the evening (Image: Synonymous)

“Thank you to everyone for showing your support.”

Tom was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and died of a Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour and extensive peritoneal disease in October 2013 at the age of 19.

Prior to his death, the courageous and thoughtful individual had raised £170,000 for charity and wanted to help other young people in a similar position to himself.

Gazette: Bosh - Harry and two guests at the charity eventBosh - Harry and two guests at the charity event (Image: Synonymous)

Darrell Fox, founder of Synonymous, said: “It was such an honour to bring such a big name to Essex.

“Our mission is to host top-quality sporting events predominantly in Essex, while also raising funds for exceptional local causes.”