The Painswick Ball, which took place at Broadham Sports Club, raised an incredible £11,135 for the #TeamDaisy project for Young Lives vs Cancer, which has supported teenager, Daisy Mayo, and her family through her recent cancer diagnosis.
Attended by 325 people, the biennial ball was organised by a team of volunteers in the village, who created the ‘Moulin Rouge’ theme complete with an impressive illuminated windmill kindly designed and created by Gillian and Mark Hancock of Centreline Architectural Sculpture with wood supplies donated by Travis Perkins in Stroud.
In keeping with the Parisienne theme, guests were entertained by an accordion player and street caricaturist in the stunning Boulevard setting, beautifully lit by local company, Core Lighting . Other entertainment included the brilliant and very popular local band, Halflight and an amusing photo booth with props.
A charity auction was one of the evening’s highlights, according to event organiser, Vicki Compton: “Over 30 local businesses showed their support for our chosen charity through sponsorship and donation of some amazing auction and raffle prizes. A huge thanks in particular to The Oak, Murrays Estate Agents, Goddards Garage, Richmond Villages, Martin & Co, Prime DCM and Cotswold Broking Services for their support.”
Local teenager, Daisy Mayo, said: “In May of last year, I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia at the age of 14. This came as a complete shock to me, all our family and my friends. I have now completed intensive chemotherapy treatment in Bristol Children’s Hospital, having spent almost 8 months in hospital. Young Lives have been a great support to me and my family from day one in hospital. They helped with any questions we had, and addressed any worries and concerns. My amazing social worker, Katie, supported my parents and my siblings, and helped with admin tasks when my parents were struggling to focus on them. She was great at helping with advice about the costs involved for my parents whilst in hospital.
“Having been a direct recipient of the help and support that the charity offers, I wanted to try and give something back. We were absolutely over the moon when the Painswick Ball committee chose #TeamDaisy and Young Lives vs Cancer to be their chosen charity for the 2024 Painswick Ball. We are so very grateful to the Ball committee for their support, and we hope that other young people starting their cancer journey will be able to receive the amazing support that I did. It really does make a difference.”
Tim Sadler, Young Lives vs Cancer: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made the Painswick Ball such a success and raised funds for Young Lives vs Cancer. The phenomenal fundraising will make such a huge difference to the lives of families with a child being treated for cancer and we are so grateful to everyone involved. I know Daisy’s family benefited enormously from the support of their Young Lives vs Cancer social worker – they are with you every step of the way during the most difficult time of your lives. Thank you to the Painswick community.”
The next Painswick Ball will take place in 2026.
