PICTURES: Take That perform in Jersey

TAKE That performed in front of hundreds of Islanders on Saturday, thanks to one Jersey resident who paid more than £1 million to secure the performance.

Elaine Fairfax, the founder of Animal Friends pet insurance company and an avid Take That fan, secured the gig in a Children in Need auction last year.

The only condition was that the band had to perform in the UK but Mrs Fairfax was able to convince them to travel to Jersey.

And on Saturday evening they played in front of hundreds at Durrell’s Investec Rainforest ball, which was held at the Royal Jersey Showground.

Tables of ten at the event were priced at £5,000 each and the 500 tickets sold out after 24 hours of going on sale.

The venue was transformed into the rainforest of Sumatra and all the money raised from the event will go towards the Sumatran Orang-utan Conservation Programme and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Jersey.

The band opened with their hit Shine, followed by Greatest Day and Patience. After treating fans to several more of their classics, they finished with their 1990s hit Never Forget.

Dr Lesley Dickie, Durrell’s chief executive, said: ‘Orang-utans are some of our closest relatives and they are literally one step away from extinction. Losing them would be a travesty. The ball was an incredible event and an opportunity to raise much-needed funds to protect these apes that so desperately need our help.

‘I hope we were also able to educate guests about consumer choices and how they can make a big impact on the world we live in.’

Take That have had 28 top 40 singles and 12 number ones since forming in 1990. The band now only features Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen after Robbie Williams and Jason Orange went their separate ways.

After the event, lead singer Gary Barlow tweeted: ‘Great night in Jersey! Thank you all xx.’

And the band’s drummer on the night, Don Hepburn, tweeted: ‘Well Jersey!!!! I never expected that. You guys are amazing. And what an absolutely stunning place. We HAVE to come back @takethat.’

A number of Islanders also tweeted their appreciation to the band and Durrell for putting on the event and some even got to meet the band backstage.

Islander Lauren Carré wrote on Twitter: ‘Over the moon that I got to meet the whole of @takethat today in Jersey! @GaryBarlow @OfficialMarkO @HowardDonald you were so lovely!’

Describing the meeting, she said: ‘With about 12 other fans we met all the Take That Boys and got pictures with them. It was an overwhelming and amazing experience.’

The event was sponsored by Investec and D G R Slatter Decorators. A raffle was held during the ball and all the proceeds will be donated between the two charities.

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