MORE than 200 people attended the first-ever Bendrigg Trust ball and helped raise in excess of £32,000 for the Old Hutton-based disability charity.

They were joined at the Castle Green Hotel, Kendal, by special guest Jamie Andrew, a quadruple amputee and mountaineer who tragically lost his hands and feet in a climbing accident 18 years ago.

He spoke of the need to support others to ‘reach their full potential and be all that they can be.’ Since losing his hands and feet Jamie has accomplished a number of inspirational feats including becoming the first quadruple amputee to climb the Matterhorn last year.

Individuals were encouraged to give generously with a promise from Windermere-based kitchenware business, Lakeland, to match fund whatever was made on the night up to £10,000. A raffle, silent auction and main auction contained prizes donated by dozens of local businesses and individuals.

Bendrigg Principal Nick Liley said “Thanks to the astounding generosity of local people and businesses, we will be able to support more people with profound and severe disabilities to access transformational opportunities. We are grateful to everyone who has helped to raise such an outstanding figure. We had hoped to raise £20,000 so to reach £32,000 is unbelievable.”

The Bendrigg Trust provides outdoor adventure activities to people with disabilities and those facing disadvantage. The funds raised will help fit out Bendrigg’s new accessible accommodation block, Acorn House, with vital specialist equipment required to make it accessible for all.

The trust still needs to raise around £120,000 to complete the project and people can donate online at: www.bendriggtrust.org.uk/acornhouse or by texting GROW33 £2 / £5 /£10 to 70070 e.g. GROW33 £10