Supporters enjoy ball in aid of children's charity

A 'heaven sent' night of fundraising has brought a children's hospice in Maidenhead £14,000 nearer reality.

The Heaven Sent Ball at Oakley Court Hotel near Windsor attracted 100 guests, all keen to support the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service.

It was organised by Fiona and John Devine, co-founders of the charity which is named in memory of their son who died of a rare brain tumour aged eight.

During the evening Fiona spoke of how she and her husband had gathered strength from  Alexander’s bravery and dignity in the face of his illness.  

Afterwards she remembered the first Heaven Sent  ball in 2007 - the year the charity was founded.

Fiona said: “We were so delighted to see some familiar faces who came to our very first ball enjoying themselves along with lots of new faces too.  We’re so immensely grateful to everyone that supported us, we had such a good night.”

The charity now funds three Alexander’s Nurses who support children with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses. But its biggest challenge is to build the children's hospice in Maidenhead.