A SELL-OUT charity ball organised by a Chester lawyer saw more than £11,000 raised for two Cheshire charities.

The Merengue-style ball was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel just outside of Chester city centre, where guests enjoyed a champagne reception, sit down dinner and live music.

Organised by Helen Watson, partner and head of employment law at Chester legal firm Aaron & Partners, the annual ball saw almost 200 people attend from across the region.

The money raised will be split between two charities, Wirral-based charity Claire House Hospice, and Women V Cancer, a fundraising partnership between Breast Cancer Care, Ovarian Cancer Action and Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.

Helen said: “The annual ball is always a wonderful way to raise awareness and, most importantly, vital funds for these fantastic charities, both of which are close to my heart.

“We had a great turn out on the evening and managed to raise an incredible amount of money for the charities. I’m always so grateful to everyone that supports charity events like these and even this year’s fundraising total exceeded my expectations.”

Helen is a long-standing board member and Trustee at Claire House Children’s Hospice.

Over the years, her individual fundraising efforts have helped raise more than £100,000 for the charity as well as Women Vs Cancer and a host of other North West-based charities.

She added: “Claire House Hospice is an amazing local charity that has helped a number of people close to me. And the same goes for Women V Cancer too, which is why I always try to support them in any way I can.

“I hope that the funds raised from the ball can go some way towards allowing both charities to continue the fantastic work they do in supporting families and individuals and providing the best care they can.”