The original idea for a Charity Gala night came out of a brainstorming session amongst the Pirates staff. We wanted to do a big night to launch the season and raise money for a good cause at the same time. We are a family show so a lot of our audience are kids and we wanted to do something for children so we approached Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital. Within 30 seconds we realised that we could do something to help. Over the past 4 years the gala nights have raised almost a quarter of a million euros and have funded a special 'Pirates' treatment room at the hospital. Many of our staff and performers have formed long-standing relationships with Great Ormond Street and they visit the hospital when they are in the UK.

We also help local charities on the island such as the Sahara refugees, the Allen Graham Charity, the disabled community on the island through the Red Cross and a charity that provides entertainment in hospital for kids. However, it is the Gala night that is our big annual fundraising event and it has grown bigger each year. It is now established as part of the ex-pat community calendar and people call us to ask when it is happening and can they have the same table as last year! We have also developed great relationships with other businesses on the island which all help out. The travel companies Thomson, First Choice, Thomas Cook and My Travel all contribute and this year the Santa Ponsa Country Club will host the pre-show supper for the celebrities and the kids from the hospital.

I have fond memories of the past years gala events. It was a great pleasure for me to meet our celebrity guests and spend time with them and their families. I am looking forward to meeting the Great Ormond Street patients as they are an inspiration. No matter what they have been through they are excited and enjoy the show and that is what it is all about. Hopefully we will raise some big money for the hospital too but it is not about beating last year's total, it is about giving everyone a really good night.

This year I hope we have a good crowd and deliver a splendid performance. I am excited about the show this year as we have some new members of the team and new elements to the show. It is going to be a big night with big stars and big fun for the kids, the cast and the loyal residents who support us each year. I'll see you there!