A GROUP of friends organised a ball for about 300 people and raised more than £5,500 for two charities.

Jo Beatty, Jo Heath, Zena Knowles and Kate Keane decided to organise the Posh Frocks, Wacky Locks and Cupcake Ball to cheer up their friend after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Jenny Hunt, from Durrington, was told she had the disease in 2002. She has suffered reoccurrences and underwent her fifth course of chemotherapy during the summer.

The ball raised money for The Stars Appeal’s Pembroke Unit fund and Cancer Research UK.

They enlisted the help of businesses such as Shipseys Marquee Hire, Sims Catering, Karin’s Flowers, Lynn Woods from sendfreshchocolates.com, Happy Cakes, K A Gardener Family Butcher, Studio Zed Photography and friend Tina Mundy.

Tickets sold out within three weeks of going on sale and the event, at the Inn at the High Post on September 9, was a huge success.

It was hosted by Chris Ewington from Spire FM and DJ Nigel Male and included entertainment from puppeteer Damon Scott, baroque ensemble Die Kleine Kappelle, jazz singer Sandy Ince and bands Flaming Geckos and Leroy and the Lady Killers.

The organisers would like to thank the community for their support.