Liz Hurley and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson on a glamorous track at Waterloo charity bash
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Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 2:11 PM on 05th June 2009
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Liz Hurley and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson on a glamorous track at Waterloo charity bash | Mail Online
A-list stars including Liz Hurley, Uma Thurman and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson ensured a charity dinner held in London oozed with glamour last night.
But the capital's Mayor Boris Johnson let down the side somewhat by arriving on his bicycle and wearing a backpack.
Last night's gala dinner was in aid of billionaire Arad 'Arki' Busson's Absolute Return For Kids which supports health and education projects in the UK, South Africa and Europe.
Purple reigns: Liz Hurley attended the Ark Charity Dinner at Waterloo Eurostar Station with husband Arun Nayar last night
Ark is a children’s charity set up by Arpad ‘Arki’ Busson, the French financier engaged to actress Uma.
Busson is the boyfriend of Kill Bill star Uma, who was last night in mourning for co-star John Carradine.
The Hollywood star, who looked suitably glamorous in a full-length black dress, was told of his death hours before she was due to attend the glitzy annual gala.
Eight hundred guests packed into the former Eurostar terminus at Waterloo to raise almost £16million in the ARK charity auction.
As well as Thurman, guests included Elizabeth Hurley, Jeremy Clarkson and Top Shop boss Sir Philip Green They dined on a meal of Norfolk asparagus, Irish Longhorn beef, black cod and Yorkshire rhubarb before being serenaded by Lily Allen.
Sheer bravery: Tara Palmer-Tomkinson arrived in daring plunge neck dress
The highest bid in the following auction saw £350,000 paid for a week's stay for 12 on the Getty family yacht.
And £300,000 won a week for 28 people on Sir Richard Branson's Caribbean Island.
With her husband Arun Nayar in tow, Miss Hurley kept it short and sweet in a magenta frock and metallic Christian Louboutin.
Socialite Tara opted for a daring plunge neck dress that turned sheer under the camera flashes.
Hosts: Arpad 'Arki' Busson and his actress fiancée Uma Thurman who was in mourning for Kill Bill star David Carradine
BBC Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson and retail tycoon Sir Tom Hunter were also at the event, where tables of 10 cost up to £100,000.
The guests were entertained by saxophonist Julian Smith, third place from last weekend's Britain’s Got Talent.
Raffle tickets at the black tie dinner cost £5,000 and prizes included five Fiat 500s hand-painted by Damien Hirst.
Another lot included a trip for 27 people to Richard Branson’s Necker Island – and dinner with the host himself.
Easy being green: Kiera Sunshine Chaplin, the granddaugher of Charlie Chaplin, joined the revellers
Model moment: Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova (L) and English socialite Lisa B
Power couple: Topshop billionaire Sir Philip Green arrived with is wife Tina
The yearly event has so far raised more than £120million for Ark since it began in 2002.
The proceeds go towards six inner-city ‘academy’ schools in the UK.
Mr Busson, 46, admitted the event was was nearly cancelled.
He said: 'It was a very difficult decision. Was it appropriate to have such a gathering at this time? We agonised for a while but what prevailed in the end is the work that we're doing for the children.
'That, it seems to me at a time of cutbacks across every economy, is more important than ever.'
Ready for fun: Former pop star Sinitta (L) and Czech supermodel Eva Herzigova
Not so glamorous: London Mayor Boris Johnson arrived on his bicycle
Liz Hurley, 
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