Tickets for the Charity Ball and Auction organised by Charlotte Reynolds, an advertising executive at The Ross Gazette, in aid of Help for Heroes, go on sale this Friday, July 31st.
Charlotte, who has never organised an event on this scale before was inspired to help the charity, which supports members of the Armed Forces, when she watched the series on TV featuring Ross Kemp in Afghanistan. She thought it was an interesting programme but then Ross visited Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham and spoke with soldiers who had been injured. Shortly afterwards she went to Monmouth and stood with hundreds of others to show her respects to Rifleman Jamie Gunn, who was killed in Afghanistan, before his funeral.
As she stood there she thought: "I am going to do something to help," and immediately decided to organise a charity Ball and Auction.
She has been working hard along with three of her friends, Jessica Teague, Jemma Heath and Jessica Sherwood to put her idea into action. They have organised a venue, The Chase Hotel, entertainment, a local band called SwiTch which plays a wide range of popular music and DJ, Travelling Discotheque, as well as the buffet and an auctioneer. Posters have been designed and printed as well as tickets. In fact none of the young women realised how much was entailed in organising and event. They have also been surprised at how willing local companies and individuals are to support Help for Heroes.
Donations to the auction are already very impressive and include flights, a ride in a rally car and a tour of the House of Commons.
There will also be a grand raffle on the night with some wonderful prizes.
Charlotte said this is a great opportunity to dress up and have a fun evening while doing something to help a really worthwhile cause.
Tickets are being sold at the Ross Gazette office and at the Monmouthshire Beacon office. General Manager of the two papers, Lee Whiteland is sponsoring the event and Charlotte said: "She has been very encouraging and has given me a great deal of support."
Tickets are £25 and include a buffet. Payment is by cash or cheque and numbers are limited.