Stars from Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks came together this weekend to support Laura Norton and Mark Jordon at their annual charity ball, raising awareness and funds for Cure Usher Syndrome.
Usher Syndrome is a rare genetic condition that causes hearing and vision loss and, in some cases, affects balance. There is currently no cure for the condition, something that Mark and Laura and the Cure Usher Syndrome charity are working hard to change.
Stars step up for the cause
In 2023, Laura and Mark shared the news that their children, Jesse, 5, and Ronnie, 3, had been diagnosed with Usher Syndrome. Later that year, Metro was invited to cover their first charity ball, where countless Emmerdale co-stars flooded the red carpet to show their support.
Now, three years on, that support has only grown, with stars from Coronation Street and Hollyoaks also stepping up to help raise awareness and much needed funds.
A major part of the fundraising effort was an auction, with prizes including private tours around the Emmerdale and Coronation Street sets, as well as a lunch with a host of soap stars. The stars were eager to push the bidding higher, with Theo Silverton actor James Cartwright jumping out of his seat with a promise to take the highest bidder out for drinks before the Corrie tour as part of the grand prize.
Emotional performances and heartfelt tributes
‘During the auction, James Cartwright just jumping up and trying to get the crowd going and offering more to try and help us, things like that mean the world,’ Laura told Metro. ‘And then Roxy [Shahidi] getting all the girls up out of the soaps to get the room going. It really works.’
There were plenty of other ways co-stars stepped up. Laurel Thomas actress Charlotte Bellamy donned a staff lanyard to greet guests alongside Laura, former Emmerdale and Hollyoaks star Gemma Atkinson stepped in to host the evening alongside radio show co-host Matt Halsam, while Corrie’s Eva Price star Catherine Tyldesley opened the evening with an emotional performance of For Good from the musical Wicked.
‘I hope I have chosen the songs accordingly. I feel like there’s a lot of meaning behind the first song, and I really hope that it shows that we are here to support, and we live in hope, and we are determined,’ Catherine told Metro before the ball. ‘It’s so wonderful to be here this year, and it seems to be just getting bigger and bigger every year from the sounds of things. They’ve got an amazing line-up, so we’re really hopeful that we’re going to raise a lot of money tonight,’ she added.
Fundraising beyond the ball
Like Catherine, Ross Barton star Michael Parr was a first-time attendee. ‘We’re so proud of [Laura]. It’s bittersweet because ultimately we are trying to raise money for a very serious cause, but I think Laura and Mark should be proud of their achievements because I certainly am,’ he said.
Other stars have been regular faces at the Cure Usher Ball, including Michelle Hardwick, who plays Vanessa Woodfield in Emmerdale, and wife Kate Brooks, Coronation Street’s producer.
Outside of the ball, supporters have been involved in various fundraising activities throughout the year, with several Emmerdale stars joining other brave fundraisers for a wing walk. Laura said: ‘You can run, you can do a cupcake sale, you can walk on the side of a plane! Mark’s doing it again next year. I might join him. Come up with something different! I’m talking to Emma Atkins at the minute about what we can do that hasn’t been done before to try and raise some money. Get in touch with us and we’ll help you. We’ll help promote everything.’
Reflecting on the turnout, Michelle said: ‘It’s always so important to be here and help raise awareness and raise as much money as we can for this. It’s such a wonderful ball, as well. Laura and Mark and all the team, they work so hard every year to put this on, and it’s fantastic.’ She added: ‘Obviously we’ve got the Emmerdale guys, and me and Kate have rounded up a few of the Corrie ones this year. It’s gorgeous. Really lovely.’
‘We can’t stop’
The support did not go unnoticed by Mark and Laura, who first met on set at Emmerdale while playing Daz Spencer and Kerry Wyatt. ‘There was a lot of love in the room tonight,’ Laura said. ‘There always is, but it just felt even more so tonight. It just had a different vibe and a different energy and then the auction went off. Everything looks amazing and we’re just so proud to get the message across.’
‘It’s really difficult because it’s been a really hard and awkward year for everybody,’ Mark added. ‘And I feel like to be in a room where people are willing to raise their hands and know what it’s all about, it’s a really tough time so we’re very honoured to have the faith in people coming and doing what they do.’
‘It’s been ten months of really hard work. Every year, but this year has felt especially difficult. It’s been really hard, and it takes away precious time from our babies that we’re doing this for, but we know we have to do it for them,’ Laura admitted. ‘I said to Mark a couple of weeks ago, “This is hard. This is a lot.” But now, after being in the room and seeing the way people support, we can’t stop. We’ve just got to keep going.’
For more information about Cure Usher Syndrome and how to get involved with fundraising, visit their website.
