Ball in memory of David Rossiter has raised more than £25k for Prostate Cancer UK

A charity ball held in memory of David Rossiter has raised a staggering £25,111.05 for Prostate Cancer UK. 

With an auction, a raffle and a night to remember, the David Rossiter Memorial Ball raised an amazing amount of money in memory of local sheep farmer David Rossiter, who died on 17 November last year. 

The ball was held at family home, Burton Farmhouse, on Saturday, 8 February, organised by David's family, especially his daughter-in-law Alice Rossiter. 

Anne Rossiter with her children L-R: Liggy Hard, Rich Rossiter and Kate Rossiter - credit Image Three Sixty 

Liggy Hard, David's daughter, explained that the idea for the ball came around when Alice and her brother Rich signed up to run the London Marathon in April, in aid of Prostate Cancer UK. 

Liggy said: "The ball started off as part of this fundraising effort but when dad passed away, we decided to make it bigger and it became a memorial ball in his honour. A huge thank you needs to go out to Alice Rossiter my sister-in-law for organising most of the event and between the ball, a coffee morning we held in November and people donating to their JustGiving page for the marathon, they have raised more than £32,000." 

Anne and Rich Rossiter - credit Image Three Sixty 

The ball itself raised £25,111.05, something that Liggy said "surpassed expectations" and the family feel "so touched by everyone's support". 

Liggy continued: "Without a doubt this would not have been possible without the enormous generosity of others, including Hatch Marquee Hire Ltd for setting up the entire stunning venue completely free of charge, as a donation; The Snooty Pig - Hog Roasts for providing our scrumptious catering for the evening, again completely free of charge; A J Lidstone & Son Ltd for donating spuds to support the catering; and Stokeley Farm Shop for helping us out with pumps and barrels.

"Thanks to the fantastic The Shrine Band for filling the dance floor at a generously discounted rate; Image Three Sixty for perfectly capturing the evening, again at a generously discounted rate; Andy Loos Limited for even knocking off money for the essentials and of course Russell Steer and Toby Baldry for being our awesome auctioneers for the night.

"There were so many other companies who donated generously towards our raffle hampers and it would take too long to list them all but we are genuinely so grateful."

Liggy, Alice and Rich on stage with Russell Steer - credit Image Three Sixty 

The David Rossiter Memorial Ball also had an auction with "the most fabulous" donated prizes, from SUP boarding from Waterborne to a nights stay in Izzy and Phil Rogers' Shepherds Hut, to a Golf Day at Thurlestone Golf Course. The auction raised more £11,000. There was also had a raffle with hampers filled by the generosity of local businesses. The raffle raised more than £5,000. 

Guests enjoyed themselves all night - credit Image Three Sixty  

Guests enjoyed themselves all night - credit Image Three Sixty  

Liggy added: "We all had such a wonderful evening with the most amazing community and support. I don’t think any of us could have got through the last few months without the support of our amazing community and that is what really shone on the night. 

"Dad would have been completely overwhelmed by the support and generosity of everyone who attended and would have been so grateful to everyone who came.  And also so pleased everyone had a good time.

"I think we’d all like to say a huge thank you to everyone for their support and kindness and we are all so grateful to live in such an amazing community."

Guests enjoyed themselves all night - credit Image Three Sixty