WITH just a few Charity Ball tickets left there is no time to waste to show your support for worthy causes across Swindon.

The event founded by the Rotary Club of Swindon and the Swindon Advertiser will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Old Town on May 7.

Over the past 28 years, it has raised nearly £700,000 for more than 50 local charities, with donations ranging from £1,000 to £49,000.

This year, ten community projects, schools and charitable groups have been handpicked by the Ball’s organisers to receive total of £40,000.

They are Olive Tree Café, Crowdys Hill School, Swindon Therapy Centre for MS, Headway Swindon and District, Dressability, Wessex Children’s Hospice Trust, Swindon & District Samaritans, Swindon 105.5, Hometruths and Swindon Dial a Ride.

“These charities and projects need our support and we are only too happy to help them to grow, achieve their goals and make a difference to the local community,” said Charity Ball committee chairman Tim Hanley, encouraging townspeople to snap up the last remaining tickets.

Headway Swindon, which supports people affected by brain injury, is in line to receive £1,750 to create a quiet area at its new Dorcan headquarters.

"We are tremendously honoured to be chosen as a beneficiary of the charity ball," said centre manager Jane Weston.

"Many of our members suffer from anxiety, fatigue or depression following their brain injury and often need to lie down if they are feeling distressed or unwell. We intend to purchase a corner sofa and coffee table to provide members and their families with a calm safe space to sit comfortably and discuss their problems. The project will also offer respite for family members and carers with an opportunity to seek advice or discuss their loved one’s condition away from the main activity in the centre."

The Olive Tree Cafe will be awarded £3,300 of the sum raised through the ball.

“We are delighted that £3,300 has been approved by the Charity Ball Committee to purchase an oven and other smaller pieces of much needed kitchen equipment, all of which is crucial to the day to day running of the cafe and to the certificated training we offer our volunteers," said café manager Phyllida Richards.

“The Olive Tree Cafe was established to help preserve and protect the good mental health of people by providing them with positive, work related opportunities, in order to take them a step nearer to paid work. The cafe is a cheerful, welcoming and very busy place with almost 60 people volunteering their time on a regular basis and regularly serving 100 customers each day, seven days a week.”

To book tickets call 01793 813147 or email susanjharding@btinternet.com.