A COUPLE from Langstone who aim to raise £50,000 for charity by the end of the year are holding a summer ball to raise funds.

David and Claire Thompson are preparing for their second annual Macmillan Summer Ball on Saturday June 28, and are appealing to Gwent businesses to donate prizes to their auction and raffle.

Tickets are still available for anyone who wants to support the event.

They have both had their fathers suffer from cancer. Sadly, David’s dad lost his battle in 2010, inspiring David to take part in extreme expeditions for charity.

Then, when Claire’s dad was diagnosed in 2012, she decided she wanted to raise money too as her dad is still being cared for by a Macmillan nurse based in the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport.

As a result, they have set themselves the ambitious target of raising £50,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support – and are already halfway there, having raised £26,000 in the past year.

The summer ball aims to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. Macmillan provides practical, medical and financial support and campaigns for better cancer care.

Mrs Thompson said: “This event is back by popular demand following the success of last year. Everyone had such a great time we decided to do it all over again.

“We are really hoping that money raised from this event, along with our many other upcoming events, will give us that final push to reach our target.”

The event will feature an auction, raffle and magician. There will also be the chance to have your photo taken by professional photographers, while a silent-bid auction will take place during the evening containing fantastic sports memorabilia and collectables prizes.

The couple are also holding a charity zip slide at the Chepstow Dive centre in September. These events are in additional to the usual bag packing, bucket collecting and other events the couple regularly take part in.

The black-tie summer ball, which is supported by Barclays, will run from 7pm to 1am at the Hilton Hotel, Newport.

Tickets are £30 and include a bucks fizz reception, three course meal and disco. For information and tickets call Mrs Thompson on 07735 204233 or email claire.thompson@clarity-compliance.com