More than £1m was raised at The Retail Trust Ball held at Grosvenor House Hotel in London last night.

Attendees on the night included major retail names including Arcadia boss Sir Philip Green, M&S chief executive Marc Bolland, Asos chief executive Nick Robertson, Jaeger and British Fashion Council chairman Harold Tillman and Debenhams chief executive Michael Sharp.

The money raised on the night, for the Retail Trust, came from a combination of personal donations, including £190,000 from Arcadia Boss Green and corporate contributions from major high street brands including £60,000 from department store group John Lewis.

“Tough times are well documented for retail, but I am delighted that our annual fundraising Ball still brought the biggest names in the sector together to support their industry charity,” said Retail Trust chief executive Nigel Rothband.

“We are grateful to all the retailers and supporters for their contributions that will benefit those in retail who are most affected by change, pressures of life and a need to turn somewhere for advice.

“We have seen contacts to our Helpline rise significantly in the last six months, not only on matters of redundancy and job security, but on a host of associated issues that come to the fore when recession is in play.”

Celebrity attendees at the event included TV presenters Louise Redknapp and George Lamb as well as England rugby star Phil Vickery.