Glittering ball for a charity close to heart

Mother-of-three Rebecca Casey, a reception teacher at Middleton Cheney Primary Academy, wants to generate as much money as possible for Katharine House Hospice, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

She is chairman of the village’s charity ball which takes place on September 3 in support of the Adderbury-based hospice after her husband Duncan died eight years ago aged only 37.

Mrs Casey said: “I felt that by taking on the chairmanship of the Middleton Cheney Charity Ball in this special year for Katharine House I could give something back to this amazing place which did so much for my family at such a devastating time.

“The support they gave to us during Duncan’s illness and after his death was outstanding. In fact, my children wanted to revisit the hospice to see the staff for a long time afterwards.”

The successful charity ball, now in its third year and is a glamourous way for about 300 villagers to raise money for good causes.

Tickets for the ball, which this year features a sparkling canape reception, gourmet dinner, live music and luxury raffle, will go on sale from 10am for £55 at a special event in The Butler’s Pantry, Middleton Cheney, on Saturday, April 2. Tickets will be on a first-come-first served basis.

In addition to the main event, this year’s committee, made up of eight Middleton Cheney women keen to help Mrs Casey realise her dream, will also hold an afternoon tea dance and craft fair on September 1.

The tea dance will raise money for Age UK as well as Katharine House Hospice and will give as many villagers as possible the chance to make use of the elegant marquee.

Mrs Casey added: “This really is a village event for everyone. The more sponsorship money we can raise to stage the ball, the more money we will be able to donate to Katharine House.”

The committee is also appealing to businesses to support the ball through sponsorship in return for advertising on the event’s website, social media page and in the charity ball programme.

Visit the c harity ball’s Facebook page or website www.cheneycharityball.com for more details. Mrs Casey can be contacted at [email protected]