Madonna and friends raise thousands for charity

Madonna (but no Guy Richie), Gwyneth Patrow (but no Chris Martin), Ashton and Demi, David Blain, Lucy Lui, Orlando Bloom, Drew Barrymore, Salma Hayek, Debra Messing, Kate Hudson, Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Pharell Williams, Molly Simms and even Madonna's ex boyfriend Carlos Leon, her daughter Lourdes' (who was also there) father - all came together for an elegant dinner and auction, presented by Chris Rock to raise thousands for charity.

Tom Cruise alone pledged $100,000 to Madonna’s Raising Malawi fund, while other stars pledged their time for Madge's good cause. One bidder spent $600,000 on the chance to spend the weekend on tour with Madonna, including a yoga session with Mrs Richie, her trainer and her best friend Gwyneth Paltrow - who put pay to those pregnancy rumors when she let lose on the dance floor in a delicate, blush pink mini and sky high heels.

While Gwyneth Paltrow was busy congratulating Gwen and Gavin Rossdale, who revealed to her that Gwen's protruding tummy was not a serious case of bloating but actually their second baby on the way, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes really swayed to Timberland's performance with Nelly Furtado, Tom can actually dance (sort of!)

Madonna seemed a little nervous (really!) to be hosting such the huge bash, which coincides with the opening of Gucci's largest flagship store in the world this week on Manhattan's exclusive Fifth Avenue.

All in all a very good time was had by us all - though with free flowing Martini's, the coolest A-list crowd and performances by Rihanna, Alicia Keys and Timberland, what was not to enjoy?

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Click here to see pictures from the red carpet and inside the party

By Laurelle Gilbert

Posted 7th February 2008