A KIELDER disability charity has hailed its annual ball a ‘roaring success’ after smashing this year’s fund-raising target by more than £3,000.

With the help of volunteers and local businesses from across the region, the annual Calvert Ball, held at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, raised a whopping £28,000 to help children and adults living with disabilities in the North-East.

Calvert Trust Kielder supports people with disabilities, together with their families and friends, to achieve and enjoy outdoor adventure activities.

Two hundred people attended the ball on October 13.

Calvert Trust Kielder guest Kate Stanforth, who has four chronic illnesses, presented a short video showing how important her time spent with the charity has been to her quality of life.

She described Calvert Trust Kielder as her ‘safe space’ and thanked Rosedale Leasing for sponsoring her visit.

Chief executive at Calvert Trust Kielder, Peter Cockerill, said: “The Calvert Ball is the biggest fund-raiser in our events calendar and we are delighted that we have beaten last year’s total of £25,000 and raised so much money to enable people of all abilities to experience outdoor activity breaks which they never thought would be possible.

“The support and generosity of our sponsors and supporters has been overwhelming; without them we wouldn’t be able to host our annual ball and continue raising funds for Calvert Trust Kielder.”

Silver event sponsor, Hexham-based accountancy firm Patricia J Arnold & Co, presented Calvert Trust Kielder with a cheque for £5,500 on the night, raised throughout the year at a series of fund-raising events.

They were joined on the evening by international lift specialists Stannah, bronze sponsors, working with the charity to provide care equipment.