Charity ball raises £14,000 for child health services in Hampshire Hospitals

More than 100 guests danced and dined at a black tie charity ball to fundraise for Hampshire Hospitals Charity last month, writes Harry Craig.

On Saturday, October 28, 133 guests attended Basingstoke’s Audleys Wood Hotel to support the charity’s flagship campaign, The Magic Lion Appeal.

The charity works to improve hospital services for children and young people at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT).

The ball raised £14,000, which will help to fund improvements at all of the trust’s sites, including redecoration of spaces, investment in play facilities and equipment, and large-scale reconfiguration of some wards.

To complete the project, the Magic Lions Trust is hoping to raise a total of £400,000.

The evening featured a live band, three-course meal, dance performance from the Basingstoke Academy of Dancing, and hand entertainment from local artist Matt Homer.

There was also a silent auction and raffle, which raised more than £8,000 for prizes such as afternoon tea at London’s The Savoy hotel, fly fishing on the River Test, and an archaeology experience at the British Museum.

Alex Whitfield, chief executive of the HHFT, said: “It was simply fantastic to see so many people come together in support of our charity.

“The generosity and kindness of our guests was just astonishing.

“Hampshire Hospitals Charity makes such a huge difference every single day to our patients, staff and volunteers across our hospitals and it’s all only possible thanks to our wonderful supporters.

“We really couldn’t do it without them.”

Following the success of this year’s inaugural event, the charity revealed it would return again in 2024.