Grand Charity Ball raises £4,000 for local hospices

Organisers Simon Cruwys, Mary Bye (St Barnabas), Chelsea Leggatt, Maria Croucher, Graham Hunton (St Barnabas Trustee), Heidi Cruwys and David Croucher enjoying the evening

A ball in aid of local hospices, St Barnabas House and Chestnut Tree House, has raised a grand total of £4,182.

The evening, organised by Maria and David Croucher, was held at the Assembly Hall, Worthing and had a ballroom dancing theme. Guests enjoyed dancing demonstrations by Simon and Heidi Cruwys, former UK Professional Ballroom Champions and international dancers from Dance Crazy in Bournemouth, who kindly gave their time free to support the charities. There was also a sequence demonstration led by Gloria Hooper, who teaches dance in Worthing.

Simon also performed two dances with Maria and David's granddaughter, Chelsea Leggatt, aged 15, who qualified for the Blackpool Finals in Ballroom, Latin and Sequence dance categories.

The evening was kindly sponsored by Margrasil Ltd and music was provided by Sue and Roger from Partners.

Guests were able to have their photos taken in all their finery by Helen Tinner Photography and their images captured in cartoon form by caricaturist, Sean Savage.

A raffle and auction were held on the night and St Barnabas Hospices Trustee, Graham Hunton and his wife, were on hand to draw the raffle and thank the 100 guests who attended the Ball.

Mary Bye, St Barnabas Fundraiser, said 'We would like to say a huge thank you to Maria and David for all their hard work and to everyone who came along on the night. It was a toe-tapping evening and the money raised will go directly to helping our patients and families at Chestnut Tree House and St Barnabas.'