People are being invited to get glammed up, be wined, dined and dance the night away and help raise money for a vital community charity with every step.
The Hummingbird Centre will once again stage its Masquerade Ball on Friday March 22 hosted at Tythe Barn, Launton, near Bicester.
Tickets are available and a plea has also gone out for raffle prizes and lots for the auction. Lots including a round of golf, hotel stay and Italian meal have already been donated but the centre is urging individuals and businesses to donate more items such as jewellery, luxury breaks and experience days to encourage more people to bid.
The ball will be the final fundraising event organised by Hummingbird founder Mechelle Harris, who will be stepping down from the cancer support centre as of April 1.
Proceeds will go towards the centre’s running costs, which stand at £250,000 a year. Last year’s event raised more the £11,000 which paid for the children’s barn and a specialist children’s counsellor for part of the year.
Tickets are on sale now and cost £95 per person. The cost includes a welcome drink on arrival, a three-course meal including wine, evening’s entertainment hosted by Sparky and Sprite Entertainment, as well as a surprise unveiled on the night.
For the first time ever, the main auction will go online, organised by James Kendling of Auction Revolution, the auction will be launched on the night and will remain open for about seven days. James hopes it will raise more money because the audience will increase from the 100 people at the event to around 150,000 people across the globe.
Mechelle said: “We would love to see people come along to this event – it’s such a great evening. Although we have had to put up the ticket price up, we do believe it’s still good value. People will get a very special evening; they can get dressed up and will be fully wined, dined and entertained by some wonderful talent. Last year the dance floor was still full at midnight.”
The Hummingbird Centre offers a range of services from counselling, children’s services, complementary therapies, support, guidance, and friendship along with various activities for people living and affected by cancer and their families.
This service is free to people living across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, but it relies on donations to keep running.
Mechelle said:
“The Hummingbird Centre is there for everyone. We not only support the person diagnosed with cancer but their families as well, as when cancer enters their world it affects everyone.
“We stand by all of the family throughout their cancer journey – the good, the bad and the ugly. I always say to guests we take you by your hand and stand by your side until you are ready to let go.
“This is our first fund-raising event of the year so we do have a bit of a mountain to climb to reach that £250,000 by the end of 2024.”
She said: “For me, it will be a night of mixed emotions I want it to be successful and everyone to enjoy themselves; but I’ll also be reflecting that this is the last event that I will be organising for the Hummingbird Centre.”
Anyone who can donate prizes or would like to sponsor a table or buy tickets should call 07787 299588 or email events@thehummingbirdcentre.org.
