Third fundraising ball in Laura’s memory

A third fundraising ball in the name of a young woman who lost her battle with cancer while staging the first will be held next month.

Laura’s Ball, which will be at Fairfax Hall in Leeds Castle, Maidstone, is named in memory of Laura Clarke, from Larkfield.

She was a volunteer for Breast Cancer Kent, who died at the age of 31, while arranging the first dinner and dance for the charity.

Her event went on to raise £5,000.

The charity has kept the name of the event, with the backing of the 31-year-old’s parents, and last year it raised £19,000.

Fellow volunteer and friend of Laura’s, Helen Teare said: “I don’t think people are aware of the funds Breast Cancer Kent secures. Since I went through it the technology has leaped forward. It can be £150,000 for one piece of equipment.”

The organisation raises money to help the lives of people diagnosed with breast cancer in Kent, from state-of-the-art equipment for breast cancer units and the Kent Oncology Centre to wellbeing programmes for aftercare, as well as training for staff and supporting research.

This year’s ball will be on Saturday, November 17 from 7pm at Fairfax Hall in Leeds Castle, Maidstone. The black tie event offers tables of eight at £600, VIP tables at £760 and individual tickets at £85. It includes a three-course dinner and entertainment.

For tickets with accommodation add £130 per room.

All proceeds go to Breast Cancer Kent.

For tickets and information call Helen Teare on 07736649524, or email helen@teare.eu

For more details on the charity go to breastcancerkent.org.uk A charity in the county wants to offer a lifeline to people not in eduction, work or training.

CXK is re-running its Prince’s Trust Team programme in Maidstone next month. It is free of charge and focused on unlocking the hidden talents of young people.

The scheme begins with team-building activities including canoeing, climbing, and raft-building. Afterwards, interview, presentation and job application skills will be taught.

A work experience placement tailored to the career a person wants to pursue will also be undertaken.

Enrolling on the course will not affect any Universal Credit payments being made.

The course starts on Monday, November 12 and lasts 12 weeks. The offer is open to anyone in Maidstone aged 16-25 who is not in education, employment or training. Contact lauracharter@ cxk.org or visit cxk.org for more information.