THE countdown to the annual charity ball has officially begun, and with only a few tables left time is running out to join in one of the town’s largest fundraisers.

Now in its 27th year, the event, founded by the Rotary Club of Swindon, has supported more than 50 worthy causes at home and further afield.

This year’s event at the Marriott Hotel, in Old Town, on May 16, will prove no exception.

To date it has raised £670,000, with donations ranging between £1,000 and a remarkable £49,000.

Chief among its previous beneficiaries is Prospect Hospice, which has been awarded nearly £67,400 since 1990.

“The Charity Ball committee has often looked favourably on the applications made by Prospect Hospice for funds towards our care,” said Sheryl Crouch, head of fundraising at Prospect Hospice.

“We are very grateful to the Charity Ball for all the support that it has given the hospice over the years.”

The ball’s £20,770 donation to Prospect in 2002 went a long way to supporting terminally ill patients.

The sum went towards several special hoists, enabling patients with mobility problems to be moved with greater care and dignity.

It also allowed the charity to secure two electrically operated beds.

Last May, the ball hosted by the Rotary Club of Swindon, the Adver and the Marriott Hotel, raised £22,953 for seven charities and projects.

“It is the largest charity ball in the town and it is there to benefit anyone who needs it,” said Tim Hanley, the chairman of the Charity Ball committee.

“That’s what makes it so special.

“We keep supporting charities. They always need pieces of equipment or help with a project.

“It’s great when the charities come back to us and tell us what they’ve done with the money we’ve donated.”

This year, a handful of deserving causes have been selected by organisers to receive a total of £20,000.

They are Upland Educational Trust, Swindon National Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Children, Headway Swindon and District, which helps people who have suffered a brain injury, the Clivey and Twist Children and Young People’s Project and the Great Western Hospital’s charity Brighter Futures, which provides items which fall outside the NHS budget.

There are just ten tickets left to the Charity Ball. To buy tickets or for more details call Susan Harding on 01793 813147 or email susanjharding@btinternet.com