A LOVING sister has raised more than £17,000 for charity after fulfilling her sister’s last wish, by hosting a very special ball.

Hannah West, organised Sarah’s Ball to support both St. Michael’s Hospice, and Victoria’s Promise.

Hannah West's sister Sarah was diagnosed with rare cancer in September 2020 and sadly passed away in January 2021.

Hannah said: "Sarah fought and battled right to the end.  She was a true inspiration to us all.

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"Before she died, Sarah said that one of her final wishes was for us as a family to organise a Charity Ball in her memory and to raise lots of money for both St. Michael’s Hospice and Victoria’s Promise. St. Michael’s Hospice is an amazing place and we are very lucky to have this facility in Basingstoke."

The Ball took place at the Oakley Hall Hotel on Friday, September 2 and was a fun-filled evening with both a Silent and Live auction, a raffle, a live band and a disco.

Hannah, her Mum Sandra and her husband Trevor presented two cheques, both for £9,000 to fundraising representatives, Natalie Wiltshire and Sarah Shearman from St. Michael’s Hospice, and Emily Preston from Victoria’s Promise.

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Natalie added: "We can’t thank Hannah and her family enough for choosing to support St. Michael’s Hospice at Sarah’s Ball. It was a fabulous event and great to see how many people came to support the family and share in remembering Sarah. St. Michael’s Hospice only receives 16 per cent funding from the NHS, so rely on events like Sarah’s Ball to help us raise the £5.8 million we need to keep the hospice running. I am sure Sarah would be proud of everything Hannah and her family have achieved."

Meanwhile, Emily said: "We are so grateful to have been beneficiaries of the incredible fundraising efforts by Hannah and her family in memory of Sarah. Sarah’s Ball was a magnificent evening with the outpouring of love shown by all a testament to the wonderful lady Sarah was. The money raised by Hannah and her family will allow Victoria’s Promise to continue to support more young women, and their families, through cancer. A huge thank you to Hannah, her family, and friends for creating such a special evening and raising such an amazing amount of money for Victoria’s Promise.”