Gem of an evening

AN amazing year for an East Cheshire Hospice fundraising committee has culminated in a record-breaking, sparkling ball awash with diamonds and pearls.

Now in its seventh year, the What Women Want Ball has become a firm fixture in the social calendar of many hundreds of hospice supporters and this year it managed to raise £25,000 – around £3,000 more than last year.

And what does every woman want? Well, diamonds of course and one of the biggest raffle prizes of the evening – a diamond and sapphire necklace with a matching pair of diamond stud earrings donated by Macclesfield jewellers, Cheshire Diamonds – went to Jackie Wilson who has attended all seven of the WWW Balls.

Also helping to raise the money at the Cranage Hall event was a huge hamper packed with beauty goodies donated by Vic Jackson of The Beauty Bar and helping out with photography and print were Paul Barber and Clive Kershaw.

The What Women Want committee was set up six years ago by local business woman, Jayne Carter and four friends and their fundraising calendar of events also includes bingo and race nights.

Together they’ve raised a total of £145,000 over the years for all sorts of equipment to make hospice patients’ lives even more comfortable.

This year, those much needed funds from events have bought a complete new laundry for the hospice, costing £24,000.

In 2016 they will be raising money to fund the installation of tracking hoists in the communal wards so patients can be transferred in safety and comfort with dignity.

“We like to say we put the ‘fun’ in fundraising and certainly our annual ball is a lot of fun,” said committee chairperson Jayne.

“It’s really important to us that we make good, practical use of all the money we raise.

“I’m consistently overwhelmed by the incredible support we get for all our events from the whole community of Macclesfield and surrounding areas. It’s something really special.”

Jayne’s fundraising colleagues are HR manager Jo Millward; work placement officer Julie Barnes; administrator, Elaine Burgess and hospice employee nurse Jill Harding.

In a recent visit to the hospice the ladies took time out to take a peek at their most recent purchases – six specially designed rise and recliner chairs, which are used to give patients who are having a day-long blood transfusion a much more comfortable experience.

Sponsorship for the glittering evening came from Proseal, STD Ltd and PR Jones Jewellers.

And save the date – Friday, November 11, 2016 has already been set for next year’s eighth What Women Want Ball.