A cheque for charity

Laura Ross, of Cutenhoe Road, decided to organise the ball to raise money for the charity in memory of her mother-in-law and her aunty, who both received care and support from Macmillan.

She said: “I decided to organise a masquerade ball after the garden party I held in the summer for Macmillan was a success. I wanted to raise £5000 for a charity that helps so many people and is very close to my heart.

“My aunty had breast cancer and she passed away 24 years ago, and my mother-in-law passed away four years ago, I helped care for her.

“Without the support from Macmillan, I do not know what we would have done or how we would have coped, this was my way of saying thank you.”

Laura spent months organising the event at the Riverside Suite, there was a live band, a photo booth, casino tables, an auction and a raffle.

She said: “We had over 200 people attend, it was a brilliant night, really successful. I could not have done it without my friends, Nicola and Kathy, and my family, especially my sister Sonia. The Riverside Suite gave us the venue and we received so many prizes for the raffle from local businesses.

“I will hold a garden party again this summer and another big event next year, I want to reach the £10,000 mark for the charity.”

Laura presented the cheque for £6,603 to Jessica Wilson, a fundraising manager for Macmillan. She said: “We want to thank Laura for her fundraising efforts and the money she has raised, it will help us tremendously.

“There is a massive amount of work we do, not just the nurses caring for patients but the emotional, social and financial support that we can also give to their families.

“This money will fund a nurse for about six weeks and will benefit many patients.”