IT IS an ambitious fundraising target but one that dedicated fundraisers are confident of reaching in a bid to make a state-of-the art children’s emergency department in Hampshire a reality.

Plans are well underway for the Make A Difference Ball which is raising money for the Murray Parish Trust’s #2MillionSteps appeal to build a dedicated children’s emergency and trauma department at University Hospital Southampton.

The MAD Ball, as it has become known, will be staged on the eve of the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle in May – prompting organisers to pick a red, white and blue theme for the event.

The Chandler’s Ford-based team is made up of experienced fundraisers including Annabel Stewart, Kate Brackley, Ali Sendell and Shadi Ganjavian-Connor.

Together they hope to equal, if not better, a previous ball organised several years ago which netted £65,000 for local good causes.

Annabel said: “When Shadi approached us to stage another ball with the cause being the new children’s major trauma department, we couldn’t resist. To have such an amazing facility on our doorstep for our children and future generations would be too good an opportunity to miss - we wanted to be a part of it and do our bit.”

Last month actress Sarah Parish and actor husband James Murray officially marked the half-way point in their ambition to raise £2m towards building the department in partnership with Southampton Hospitals Charity - a total that is being match-funded by the government.

Sarah Parish, who will be at the ball with husband James, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that the MAD ball team have chosen to raise for funds for the Murray Parish Trust - it will bring us so much closer to our goal of building a much needed new children’s Emergency and Trauma department at Southampton, serving most of the South of England.

“It promises to be a fantastic night - we’re already polishing our dancing shoes, and look forward to meeting you all there!”

The event on Friday May 18 at the Ageas Bowl Hilton will include an evening of entertainment along with a charity auction where a dress worn by Sarah to a BAFTA awards ceremony will be sold off.

Shadi, an ambassador for the charity who has already raised more than £20,000 towards the target after scaling The Matterhorn last year, said: “When I came back from that trip I realised how working together could make such a big difference, particularly now that the next £1m is in reach.”

Tickets are on sale at £75, with tables of ten also available. For more information email themadball2018@gmail.com or visit www.themurrayparishtrust.com.