The SportsAid charity held its annual fundraising bash at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane in London last night, with twice as people as last year attending the event.

Among the 1,000 guests were SportsAid patrons, such as sports personalities Christine Ohuruogu, Linford Christie, Steve Cram, Sir Matthew Pinsent and recent Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins.

“The Sports Ball is a flagship event in our calendar, bringing together all those who have an interest in tomorrow’s sporting heroes and celebrating what is central to everyone in the sporting landscape – the achievement of our country’s most talented and dedicated athletes,” said SportsAid chief executive Tim Lawler. “The 2008 ball built on what is already a unique sporting occasion, which was particularly important this year as we enter Britain’s own Olympiad.”

The entire event was managed by marketing agency Gyro’s events department for the first time, with the company taking care of everything from the creative concept development, table sales and guest communications, right through to the auction prizes and raffle.

As well as being a great party, The Sports Ball also plays a key role in raising funds for the charity and boosting its profile. It was also a great opportunity to thank sponsors, and the night also celebrated the success of the many SportsAid alumni in Beijing.

“The Ball has always been regarded as a prestigious event and we have worked closely with the SportsAid team to develop their five-year growth plan, to allow the Sports Ball to become London’s most hotly anticipated and prominent sporting social event by the Olympic year, 2012,” explained Sarah Trumble, Gyro’s head of events in London.