THE annual Winter Ball, organised by Wiltshire’s only children’s hospice, Julia’s House in Devizes, and sponsored by local housebuilder Cotswold Homes, raised a record sum of more than £30,000.

The third annual black-tie event at Wellington Barn, in the village of Calstone near Calne, was a sell-out event attended by 180 people.

Speaking on behalf of Julia’s House, Ged Montgomery from Corporate Fundraising said: "This was a fantastic amount raised so a big thank you to all our guests who attended the event as well as our headline sponsor Cotswold Homes and all our other sponsors and supporters.

"Many generously donated funds for the event. Others donated some incredible raffle prizes as well as items which were auctioned by Richard Madley of the BBC TV programme Bargain Hunt."

Cotswold Homes’ head of sales and marketing, Terri Hayes-Pugh, added: "This is a great result as the money raised will help to ensure that, for those who will never experience the excitement and challenges of adult life, their childhood is secure, safe, comfortable and as happy as it can be.!

In addition to a four-course dinner and dancing to music by the Wiltshire-based pop/rock band Echo, entertainment was provided by the singer and actress Cassidy Janson, who this year appeared with Michael Ball in the West End production of Chess at the London Coliseum.

CAPTION FOR IMAGE:

Pictured with tickets for the sell-out Winter Ball organised to raise money for Julia’s House are the charity’s corporate fundraiser Ged Montgomery (left) and Terri Hayes-Pugh of Cotswold Homes Ltd which sponsored the event