HUNDREDS of people dressed in their finest for an autumn charity ball and auction in Bath last Saturday to raise funds for Winsley's Dorothy House Hospice Care.

A total of 220 guests descended on the city's Assembly Rooms for the event, hosted by the Helen Straker Charity, which was also raising funds for Bath RUH's Forever Friends Appeal.

Revellers were treated to a champagne reception, followed by a three-course dinner, an auction and dancing to Bath-based band The Swingers.

Devizes philanthropist Helen Straker raised thousands of pounds for both causes before dying in 2013 after a 13-year battle with cancer. The charity in her name was set up a year later.

Charity trustee and Helen's widower, Gordon Straker, said: "It was a wonderful evening of great food, great music and delightful company.

"Helen would wholeheartedly approve of our ongoing efforts to raise money for her chosen charities and we are very proud to do so.

"Thank you to all the sponsors who supported the ball and to everyone who helped make it such an exceptional evening, particularly the charity's board of trustees.”

Since its inception the charity has raised £186,000 through fundraising events such as golf days, clay pigeon shoots, dinners and comedy nights.

Phillippa Watson, head of fundraising at Dorothy House, said: “The charity ball was a terrific success and a real tribute to all the hard work and fundraising efforts of Gordon Straker and the charity trustees.

"Dorothy House cared for Helen during her illness and we are honoured to be one of the chosen charities of the Helen Straker Charity, especially during our 40th birthday year."

Auction lots at the autumn ball included a weekend charter for 10 people on a luxury yacht in Mallorca, a two-night stay in Copenhagen, a helicopter flight and stay at Calcot Manor Hotel in the Cotswolds and a lavish lunch on a 1920s Belmond British Pullman train.

Other items on auction included golf days, rugby and football tickets, a shooting party for six and a cricket bat signed by the 2015 England test team who played in the Ashes against Australia.

The proceeds will be tallied up in December and will be split between the two charities.