Abby's Heroes circus-themed ball at Ageas Bowl raises nearly £40,000

It was the fourth annual dinner dance in aid of Abby's Heroes and brought 342 red and white clad guests together at the Hilton at the Ageas in West End. 

Guests at A Night at the Circus were greeted by a fire act at the front of the hotel and the entertainment didn’t stop there with circus performances throughout the evening from Kris and Oscar, two fantastic themed dance performances from LeAF Studio School and even a visit from the local constabulary. Luckily it was just Sing Out Sisters who got everyone on their feet and singing and dancing!

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With 65 raffle prizes, 49 ‘Not so Silent’ auction lots and six fantastic live auction prizes including a two hour training session for 20 children with James Ward-Prowse, a phenomenal £39,844 was raised.

It is the highest amount the charity has ever raised at one of their dinner dances.

CEO Sally Randall said: "We are absolutely delighted with how the event went! The atmosphere was wonderful, and we couldn’t believe the generosity from everyone who attended. Roll on the next one!"

Abby’s Heroes is a charity that supports families when their child has been diagnosed with cancer and is being treated at University Hospital Southampton.

It is able to financially support, practically help and offer funds for memory making.

Other projects include employing family support workers and funding play therapists for the children on the Piam Brown Ward.

Abby Randall was a big character on the Piam Brown Ward where she underwent frequent gruelling treatments for a rare type of bone cancer.

She withstood the most aggressive attempts to beat the disease, which returned and claimed her life in May 2016, aged 11.

Abby cherished every moment of her short life, and her spirit lives on in the charity.