A rugby World Cup themed lunch raised thousands of pounds for a children’s charity thanks to generous businesspeople.

The annual Best of British event welcomed more than 500 guests from across Sussex to The Grand Hotel for a Rugby World Cup 2015 special.

Guests were entertained by after-dinner speaker, 1990 Rugby World Player of the Year Brian Moore.

The event, in aid of Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, raised £30,000 through a charity auction and raffle.

As the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital (the Alex), the charity raises money for life-saving and cutting-edge medical equipment, whilst ensuring that children are treated in an environment better suited to their needs.

All funds raised from Best of British this year will be donated towards Rockinghorse’s Summer of Sport campaign to provide a number of new cardiac monitors for the Children’s Emergency Department at the Alex. Speaking at the lunch, the charity’s chief executive and Best of British event organiser, Ryan Heal, said: “At last year’s Best of British, you raised enough money to fund life-saving ventilators for the High Dependency Unit at the Alex.

“As you all prove year after year at this event, your contribution makes a direct and life-changing impact on the sick children of Sussex, and for that, we are incredibly grateful.”

To find out more about Rockinghorse and the work they do to support sick children and their families in Sussex, visit rockinghorse.org.uk.

Next year’s Best of British charity sporting lunch will take place at The Grand Hotel in Brighton on Friday June 3, 2016, and will welcome 1966 World Cup winning goalkeeper, Gordon Banks OBE.