THE Sparkle Charity Ball held at Grasmere's Daffodil Hotel raised more than £27,500 for cancer charities in memory of Penny Bridge mother-of-three Andrea Batten-Gray.

Mrs Batten-Gray died in March 2017, aged just 49. She helped friends to plan the first Sparkle Ball in 2017 while she was being treated for secondary breast cancer, but she sadly passed away before it took place.

The 2019 ball attracted 180 guests, with the hotel's function room turned into a fairyland adorned with unicorns, festoons, glitter and sparkles for the theme of "An Enchanted Evening".

More than £27,500 was raised for the Teenage Cancer Trust, The Christie Charity and St Mary's Hospice in Ulverston.

Sponsors included Burneside paper maker James Cropper plc, Hayes Garden World of Ambleside, Badger Press of Bowness, CBA Events of Keswick, The Daffodil Hotel and Spa, and Staveley's More? The Artisan Bakery.

Team Sparkle thanked everyone who attended and supported the ball by donating auction and raffle prizes.

They said Mrs Batten-Gray's memory and legacy were "always remembered and celebrated throughout each event" held by Team Sparkle.

The Sparkle Ball 2021 is to take place on Saturday, September 25.