With sponsorship from DHL, Pepsi, bmi, Cadbury, CoffeeMax, Deloitte and Marriott Grand among others over 200 guests were unstinting in their support of the BBC’s favored charity, The Taganka Children’s Fund which supports over 600 needy single parent families with young children in Moscow and the surrounding area. Over $16,000 was raised this year as guests at the ball responded to BBC President Don Scott’s appeal to ignore the world financial crisis and give help where it was most needed.

A champagne reception with music by the Russian Navy’s Balalaika Ensemble preceded dinner when guests were [iped to their tables by a resplendent Stuart Walker in full highland regalia.

With a sumptuous dinner in the Marriott Grand Hotel and fueled by unstinting wines, liquors and soft drinks guests were entertained by the Starlight Express Dancers, the Lost and Found variety band and a DJ who kept the revelry going until after dawn broke over Tverskay.