POPULAR Olympic ski jumper and celebrity Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards was the guest speaker at a charity sporting lunch.

The Best of British event was held at the Hilton Gatwick Airport Hotel, raising more than £17,500 for children’s charity Rockinghorse.

Some 230 guests packed in to the Ascot Suite for the fourth annual fundraising lunch.

Funds raised will enable Rockinghorse to continue its support of Chalkhill Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit, located on the site of the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

Chalkhill is the county’s only dedicated in-patient service for children and young people with mental health problems.

Rockinghorse Chief Executive Ryan Heal said: “Chalkhill cares for patients aged 8-16-years-old who are tackling a range of complex mental health problems, including eating disorders, depression and early-onset psychosis.

“By the time a child is admitted to the unit, they have already stopped engaging in day-to-day life, withdrawing from family and friends.

“For three successive years now, we have funded the Rockinghorse Activities Programme, which provides activity-based distraction, therapy and education for young patients facing the most difficult period in their lives.”