Two charity balls raised almost £20,000 for East Cheshire Hospice – and a third one is planned.
Organised by Congleton woman Suzanne Hayes, they were her way of thanking the Macclesfield-based hospice after it cared for her father.
David McLeod died in May 2019 aged 75 having only been there for a short period after being diagnosed with cancer soon before.
“The care and compassion the hospice showed my father and our family was amazing. The balls were my way of thanking them,” said Mrs Hayes, whose father had lived in Congleton.
The first charity ball in June 2022 raised more than £8,345m, after being delayed from the original date two years before because of covid restrictions.
She said: “The ball was so popular I was encouraged by many guests to do it again.”
The second, staged at Congleton Town Hall in May, was attended by 150 guests. She recently presented a cheque for more than £11,000, the amount raised, to the hospice.
Mrs Hayes added: “It was supported by an amazing band, Ginger and the Ninjas, a fantastic photographer – Mick Byrne from Mick Byrne Photography – and a great magician in Ian Davis and the room was decorated by Hannah from Hannah’s Creations of Congleton.”
Guests enjoyed a three-course meal, a raffle, a bottle raffle and an auction.
Said Mrs Hayes: “We were supported by so many local businesses – I literally cannot thank them enough for their support.”
The support came from across the North West and included, from Congleton, Beartown Brewery, Burns Garages, Deniz Turkish Kitchen, Higher Ground cafe bar and Mark’s Events as well as Pecks Restaurant, Triad UK, Just So Festival, Marton Meadows Golf Club, Capesthorne Hall and Gardens, Churnet Valley Railway, Manchester United FC and Manchester City.
Mrs Hayes hopes to stage a third fundraising ball for the hospice in the next year or so.
Photo: (Mick Byrne Photography).
