20 May 2026 Community

The Ultimate Charity Ball raises over £50,000 for The Kirkwood

An amazing show of community spirit has raised more than £50,000 for The Kirkwood, following a spectacular charity ball organised by a dedicated group of local supporters.

The Ultimate Charity Ball Committee, made up of Hilary Green, Steve Green, Jeremy Hoyle, Carolyn Atkinson, Claire Hoyle, Aquil Khan and David Atkinson, brought together their shared passion, skills and determination to deliver an unforgettable evening in support of the hospice at The Venue Bowers Mill, Barkisland.

Formed through friendships built in the early hours at their local gym, the group worked tirelessly over many months to turn their vision into reality. From securing a venue and selling tables to sourcing auction prizes and sponsorship, the committee’s commitment resulted in a sell-out event, welcoming 320 guests, with a reserve list in place due to overwhelming demand.

Aquil Khan, member of the Ultimate Charity Ball committee said, “It was a long, hard road, but everyone brought something different, and we got there in the end. The generosity was unbelievable. People gave because almost everyone has been touched by the hospice in some way. It’s a small world, and people understand how important a place like this is.”

The evening itself was filled with emotion, as guests came together not only to celebrate but also to remember loved ones and recognise the vital role the hospice plays in the community.

“There was sadness, happiness, pride, everything all at once,” Aquil added.

The committee has expressed heartfelt thanks to the community for their overwhelming support, from businesses who sponsored and attended, to individuals who donated auction prizes and purchased raffle tickets. Many performers and suppliers also reduced their fees or donated their time, helping to maximise the funds raised.

Jeremy Hoyle, member of the Ultimate Charity Ball committee said “It is our immense pleasure to support The Kirkwood in their continuous fundraising efforts. As individuals, we all share a deep affiliation with The Kirkwood, having seen close family and friends receive the superb end-of-life support you so passionately offer and deliver.

We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who supported our recent ‘Ultimate Charity Ball’ in October 2025 — from those who purchased raffle tickets or acted as sponsors to those who attended and donated fantastic prizes. Between us all, we managed to raise a grand total of just over £50,000.

This enormous sum will help update current patient bathrooms into state-of-the-art, modern sensory bathrooms, enhancing the comfort and care of those The Kirkwood support on a daily basis.”

Lynne Hall-Bentley, Director of Clinical Services with The Kirkwood, commented “Support like this makes such a difference for our patients and families. The new sensory bathrooms will provide a calm, relaxing and dignified space, helping us to deliver truly personalised care when it matters most. We only receive 35% of our funding from the NHS, meaning we rely on the generosity and support of our community to be able to provide compassionate palliative and end-of-life care for our patients and families. This incredible support from the Ultimate Charity Ball will make such an impact for our patients and families, and we’re incredibly grateful to them for making this possible.”

Support like this highlights the deep connection between The Kirkwood and the community. The success of the event stands as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when people come together for a shared cause.

Jeremy also added “Building on this success, we are now in the process of organising the spectacular ‘40th Anniversary Masquerade Ball’ in March 2027 for The Kirkwood. Due to the unprecedented demand in 2025 — where all 320 tickets sold out in less than two months — this has now been expanded into a prestigious two-day event, with a beautiful three-course dinner, amazing live acts, and fantastic music at The Venue in Barkisland.”

Taking place on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th March 2027. Tickets are expected to be in high demand following the success of last year’s event. For more information, supporters can search for "The Kirkwood 40th Anniversary Ball" on Facebook or contact the committee directly at kirkwood40th@gmail.com.