Provost’s Charity Ball raises £30,000 for charity

Provost’s Charity Ball raises £30,000 for charity

A massive £30,000 has been raised for two local charities at a glittering ball hosted by Renfrewshire’s Provost Celia Lawson.

The funds will be split between the Provost’s two chosen charities for 2011, St Vincent’s Hospice, in Howwood and Accord Hospice in Paisley.

XFactor and Popstar to Operastar winner Joe McElderry performed for guests at the glittering event at Mar Hall along with local talents Sorcha Lynch, Kiera Swift and Jenna Milroy.

The night, which was compered by STV weatherman Sean Batty, was a huge success with local organisations, businesses and residents all taking tables and digging deep for the charity auction.

One lucky guest came away with a little extra sparkle after winning a diamond necklace worth more than £400 in the Diamond Draw.

The winner of a brand new car, donated by Phoenix Hyundai, was also chosen from thousands of raffle tickets which have been sold at events throughout the summer.

The Provost’s Charity Ball was introduced by Provost Lawson in 2007 and had already raised a total of £88,000 for local charities.

Provost Lawson said: “As this is my last year as Renfrewshire’s Provost, I wanted the ball to be the best yet and it didn’t disappoint. Joe was fantastic, Sean was an excellent compere as ever and the young performers were a great example of the talent we have on our doorstep in Renfrewshire.

“As always what impressed me the most was the amazing generosity of all the guests and I’d like to thank them all for digging deep to help us raise such a fantastic amount for two wonderful local charities.

“St Vincent’s and Accord hospices have both touched the lives of so many people in Renfrewshire so I am absolutely delighted to be able to hand over the proceeds to them.”

The money raised at the ball, will be added to funds raised throughout the year at other events including two psychic shows.

Press release from Renfrewshire Council