On the 16th November, the Children’s Respite Trust hosted our highly anticipated Masquerade Ball – A Night Under the Stars. Bringing together supporters for a night of celebration and fundraising, the event combined elegance, entertainment, and purpose, creating an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
From the moment attendees stepped into the starlit venue, it was clear this was going to be a night to remember. Twinkling lights set the scene for an evening packed with excitement. The balloon raffle, silent auction, and live pledge towards the My Voice Project captivated everyone, raising an incredible £91,000 to support children with disabilities and their families.
The night wouldn’t have been possible without the tireless efforts of so many incredible people. Special thanks go to our wonderful Ball Committee – Shirley Price, Westley Waller, Alan Downer, Loreen McKeon and Linda Baker whose dedication brought this event to life.
We were also fortunate to have the fantastic Tim Fifield as our compère, keeping the evening flowing with charm and wit. He was joined by the fantastic Mark Newey and Kevin Durham for Head and Tails and the Auction respectively. Our gratitude extends to Vanessa Sergeant, Dan Lewis, Acting Moon Events, Double Tap, and DJ Dunk for providing exceptional entertainment throughout the night, and to Stageworks for showcasing their incredible talent.
Every moment was captured beautifully by Picture Book Films, Stephen Lawrence, Nicky Thomas from NX Photography, and Snappy Shot Events, ensuring we have stunning photos to treasure the memories. You can view the highlights of the evening in our photo gallery here.
A heartfelt thank you goes to the countless volunteers and staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes – blowing up balloons, dressing the room, selling tickets, and counting funds. Without their support, none of this would have been possible.
A particularly moving moment of the evening came when Alison, Olivia, and Harry bravely shared their family’s story, demonstrating the profound impact the Trust’s care can have on families in need. Their courage reminded us all of the vital importance of our mission.
Of course, we couldn’t have achieved this incredible success without our guests, whose generosity made the night truly magical. From raffle tickets to auction bids and life-changing pledges, your participation is directly transforming the lives of local families.
Prizes
We’d also like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who donated prizes, including Choice Vehicles, Food for Comfort, Mercedes Eastbourne, Shirley Price, L3Harris London Gatwick Training, The Dyke, Mid Sussex Golf, V Golf, Julie and Clive Tappenden, Cameo Eastbourne, MSK School of Martial Arts, Westways Vending, Drusillas Park, Fishers Farm, Middle Farm, Godstone, Reflected Detail, Henner’s Vineyard, Tulleys Farm, The View Hotel, Housekeeping Heroes, Crystal Palace FC, The Royal Eastbourne, 4Golf, Richard Dale, Snappy Shot Events, Chalky Downs Campsite, Julia Donaldson, Jonty Howley, Alex Brooks, Lansdowne Hotel, Contour Cosmetics, W Brufords, Hydro Hotel, Teddy Bear Run, Gun Brewery, Brighton Zip, Cow Shed, i360, Complete Health, Crocodile Café, Pamper Lounge, Truffles, Alison Brown, Coffee Barn, Beauty, Hand and Foot Spa, Go Goosey, Orange Beach Bars, Nigel Greaves Gallery, Phoenix Health Hub, Katie Roberts and Kyle Peavot, Taboo Silver, Luna LT Hypnotherapy, Buxted Park, East Sussex National, Wards Group, Cineworld, The Spot, The Brow Tec, Richard Haven Barbers, Dickens Tea Cottage, Sharp & Shape, Beehive, BG Benton, Sovereign Centre, Kumi and Sam, Kube Hairdressers, Eagles Hair and Beauty, Profile Hair Design, Freckles On The Inside, Devonshire Nursing Home, Sarah Allen, Mango Insurance, Shoe Shuffle, David Beck, Suttonz Garage, Three Old Birds, Yes Promo Products. A special mention goes to Jayde Georgeson, Shelly Cashman, and Vicky Regan, whose incredible efforts in acquiring donations played a key role in the event’s success.
Sponsors
Finally, our deepest gratitude goes to our event sponsors: Abbots Wood Manor, Aspray Property Services, Barons Estate Agents, Bespoke Law Services, C J Thorne, CBL Fastening, Charles Cox, Clearwater Safety Group, D T Decorators, Eastbourne Electrical, Edkins Millward, InteleTravel, J T Plumbing and Heating, Kiley’s Karpets, Lansdowne Hotel, LMDB Accountants, M S Steelwork Ltd, NRG, RAM Construction, RJG Construction Group Ltd, Saxon Design, Sparc Printing, W Brufords, and Wards Group Ltd.
Thanks to everyone involved, A Night Under the Stars was a truly dazzling success, lighting up lives and bringing hope to countless families. We can’t wait to see you all next year on Saturday 8th December, please visit our events page to find out more.