The Grand in Southport enjoyed a Full House on Saturday (21st February 2026) as a star-studded Las Vegas Charity Casino Night Party saw thousands of pounds raised for the ICU Steps charity.
Mikhail Hotel And Leisure Group Chairman hosted the spectacular annual fundraising night as his way of thanking the heroes of the NHS for saving his life when he nearly died during the Covid pandemic and the ICU Steps charity which supported him and wife Vicky and their family through his long and painstaking recovery.
X Factor star Ray Quinn and his seven piece swing band wowed guests with hits including House Of Bamboo, Mack The Knife and New York New York as they partied into the hours.
Fundraisers played a variety of casino games such as blackjack, roulette, craps tables and more on the ground floor and in the Princess Grace function suite on the first floor.
Before its transformation into The Grand by Mikhail Hotel And Leisure Group, the building was once famous for being ‘The Grand Casino’.
The people who won the most chips on the night earned super, Champagne and more.
The evening was hosted by In Demand Radio presenter Claire Simmo with DJs including Baz Todd and Phil Shepherd; soul singer Dave Broe; sax player Luke Ledger; and others keeping people dancing.
Guests arriving along the red carpet were welcomed by Las Vegas showgirls with classic cars from Churchtown Wedding Cars outside. The venue was decorated by Enhance Events.
VIP guests included former St Helens rugby League Captain Paul Sculthorpe.
Money raised on the evening will support the ICU Steps Active physiotherapy rehabilitation programme.
ICU Steps Active not only addresses physical recovery but also champions mental and emotional well-being, unlocking benefits for patients and their families on their path to reclaiming a fulfilling and active life beyond the confines of the intensive care unit.
Speaking on the night, Mikhail Hotel And Leisure Group Chairman Andrew Mikhail said:
“Welcome to The Grand and welcome to what, for me, is a very, very special day for me, and my children, and my wife.
“This is a day where I get to say ‘thank you’ to the people who saved my life.
“Covid affected every single one of us, some much more than others.
“It was an horrendous time for many of us. Many of us in this room have lost people, and many of us know people who we lost during Covid.
“I shouldn’t be here, and wouldn’t be here, without a lot of people in this room today who helped me survive.
“I watched some horrendous ordeals that the NHS medical staff had to go through.
“So this is my night, every year, where I can say to the NHS – and we’re talking about everyone in the organisation – thank you.
“The NHS and the people who work within it are amazing people.
“What they do, and what they had to go through during the Covid pandemic, was absolutely horrendous.
“I will never forget it; my family will never forget it; and we should never forget it.
“A lot of people ask me – ‘what is ICU Steps that we’re raising money for’?
“ICU Steps is a foundation that helped my wife through a very difficult time when she was trying to find out information and they help so many people in a variety of different ways.
“This event is about raising money that they need. Every penny that people at this event are making a difference.
“This night is about people enjoying themselves and celebrating the NHS.”
Also speaking at the event, ICU Steps founder Mo Peskett said:
“There are around 200,000 people admitted to intensive care units over a year.
“The charity’s aim when it was set up 20 years ago was to provide information and support for patients and their families, because as these guys know, that is a really lonely journey.
“For some people, there is no support whatsoever.
“The fundraiser and ICU Steps Active is something that is really close to our hearts because it allows people to have an opportunity to have rehabilitation.
“Sadly this isn’t a programme or something that is provided for everybody.
“Twenty years since the foundation of ICU Steps we are still in a position where some people have amazing rehabilitation, and some people have absolutely nothing.
“But if we can make a difference, and the guys will tell you that we are making a difference, then it is all down to you guys.
“If it wasn’t for Andrew Mikhail, then we wouldn’t be here today and the people we support wouldn’t have enjoyed the support they need.
“I just want to say a huge thank you to Andrew Mikhail.”
- For more details about the work of ICU Steps visit: Home – ICUsteps
- For images from the evening visit: Lynette Matthews Photography
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