Thanks to our generous volunteers, sponsors, supporters, speakers and guests The J’s Hospice Ball raised £17,000!

It was called the Black and White Ball, with themed decorations and prizes and where guests were asked to wear black and white colours.

Jeremy, father of 22 year old Louis Perring who recently lost his fight against cancer, spoke with great dignity to guests about the care his son had received from The J’s and what this care and support had meant to Louis and to the whole family.

With Jeremy’s support and the hard work of The J’s staff and all the volunteers on the night, a best ever total was raised! Funds raised will help pay for hospice and respite care in the home for young adults with life limiting conditions; this is delivered by nurses, healthcare assistants, a counsellor and therapists who are specially trained to provide palliative care and support that is targeted to young people aged 18-40 years.

The grand total was achieved by the generosity of all the sponsors, local businesses and guests that supported the event. The Ball was held in the Radisson Blu Hotel at Stansted Airport, with a sell out of tickets to 240 guests.  Actress Michelle Collins (pictured here with The J's Hospice volunteers Heather Cameron and Claire O'Connor) joined us as a guest for the evening.

Guests were greeted by pianist, Paul Strong, and cellist, Naomi Poole, with the backdrop of the fabulous Angels Wine Tower, where bar angels soar in the air to retrieve bottles. Table magician Ron Aldi and Roger Dawes from Iglobo balloons entertained throughout the evening and, after dinner, Squeal performed brilliantly in to the early hours of the morning. A fun casino, auction, silent auction and raffle all contributed to the total. All auction lots were donated which meant every penny raised was able to come to The J’s. What’s more some items were donated more than once, including a tour of the Coronation Street studio and lunch with Michelle Collins, which was sold twice! A weekend in Aldeburgh, with permission of the sponsor, was sold three times to the last bidders to save disappointment.

Grateful thanks to:

The staff and trustees of The J’s Hospice would like to thank all the volunteers, sponsors, donors of prizes, and guests that attended the Ball and made it such a fantastic success.

The Radisson Blu

Squeal : Band

Roger Dawes – Iglobo Balloons

Ron Aldi – Magician

Jokers Wild – Bib German

Keith Hoskins : Photography

Naomi Poole : Cellist

Paul Strong : Pianist

Peter Minney : Toastmaster (MC)

Sponsors:

The Co-operative Bank

Ingleton Wood

TST Ltd

Granite Consulting

Companies donating to the Auction, Silent Auction and Raffle:

Red Bus Tours

Mint Leaf Restaurant

Stafford Hotel

London Executive Cars

Benefit Cosmetics

The Hair Company

U-Pose Photography

RFL

Leisure Link Golf

Chelmsford Dance Centre

England Rugby Union team (and CJAM)

Willow Leather

Woodford Golf Club

Leeds Castle, Windsor Castle, Cineworld and Pitch & Putt Chelmsford

Essex Boot Camp

Royal Opera House

Pampered Chef (host and party planner)

Mustard Restaurant

Punch Bowl

Regiment Way Golf Club

Katherine Elizabeth Handcrafted Jewellery

Baumanns Brasserie, Coggeshall