Annual charity ball will once again be raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support

Fiona Eaglen, who lives in the Lea Road area of Gainsborough, is organising the event on Saturday, May 14, at the Gainsborough Golf Club along with her daughters Lizzie Jordan and Sara Atkinson.

Lizzie said: “The Ball is going to be an amazing evening of dinner and dancing, whilst also raising money for this cause which is so very close to our hearts.

“Last year we managed to raise more than £4,000 and so we hope this year’s will be an even bigger success.

“The amazing team at Macmillan have supported our families through cancer several times in the last few years and also their ‘end of life’ team have been there for our families through very sad times.

“We want to do something really special to say thank you for everything they’ve done and are doing.”

Fiona’s mum, Patricia Cunningham, was a mother of two, grandmother of five and great grandmother of one, and had been diagnosed and battled MS for more than 20 years.

In 1999 she suffered a major heart attack, which confined her to a wheelchair, but she still battled on and even when sadly widowed in 2009 she insisted on living independently in her own home, with care from an amazing team of home carers.

In 2013 her health started to decline further and heart failure became a major problem, so much so that in early 2014 a continuous care plan was put into place in order that she could remain in her own home for her final months of life, as was always her ultimate wish.

Fiona said: “All the family were involved, but the Macmillan team were there for night sits several times a week, every week, until mum passed away in May 2014.

“Like many other people, I had always just associated Macmillan with care for cancer patients, but as our extended families experiences show, they are there for support in many other cases of serious illness.

“My daughters decided a ball would be a good way to raise funds and the ball is our way of celebrating Pats life.

“By raising money for Macmillan we want to say a heartfelt thank you to them for all the help and support they gave us all at a very difficult time.”

This year’s ball has a Hollywood theme and is being held at Gainsborough Golf Club.

Tickets are £40 each and includes three course dinner and dancing, tables of 10 available.

Tickets can be ordered online at www.thegainsboroughball.com or by calling Fiona Eaglen on 01427 617526.