The Prince of Wales has praised the “amazing” Dame Deborah James at the inaugural Bowelbabe Fund Rebel Ball on what would have been the campaigner’s 45th birthday.
William made a surprise appearance in a pre-recorded video message at the gala, recalling: “What struck me was Deborah’s positivity and humour in the face of adversity – what she liked to call ‘rebellious hope'”.
He described Dame Deborah, who died in 2022, as “an amazing woman” and said her Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK had achieved so much in the last four-and-a-half years, investing in pioneering research that was “giving more people more time with the ones they love”.
Heir to the throne William told guests including Dame Deborah’s friends and family: “Tonight would have been Deborah’s 45th birthday and I know she would have wanted everyone dancing, celebrating and making memories.”
The fundraising ball, which was hosted by TV presenter Gaby Roslin in London, featured performances by Sophie Ellis Bextor and the West End cast of the production Disco Inferno.
Dame Deborah’s husband Sebastien Bowen said: “On what would’ve been Deborah’s 45th birthday, we wanted to honour her memory and the Rebel Ball captured so much of what made her special: her energy, her courage and her ability to bring people together behind a cause she believed in.”
The Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK supports cutting‑edge research and raises awareness of bowel cancer.
It was launched by Dame Deborah in May 2022 with an initial target of £250,000.
The You, Me And The Big C podcast host, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016, was given a damehood for her fundraising efforts, which soared into the millions.
The honour was personally conferred by William, who joined her family for afternoon tea and champagne while she was receiving hospice-at-home care, just weeks before she died at the age of 40.
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