Ball raises thousands in memory of much-loved Halifax mum

Ali Mitchell, 47, who passed away last August after a long battle with cancer had been planning a ball with her close friends to raise money for their local Macmillan Unit. She had spent many hours having treatment over the past four years.

Ali worked with her husband David and lived in Norwood Green with him and their son, Josh.

She wanted it to be called “The Jingle Belle Ball” and also asked her chums not to buy new party-gear but donate more money to Macmillan - the event raised a fantastic £8,650.

Her close friends Jane Schofield, Rachel Ledgard, Angela Porter and Julie Neimantas made sure the event went ahead at Fixby Golf Club just as Ali had planned in December 2015.

A raffle -including a one carat diamond necklace - raised a huge amount and Ali’s husband David, son Josh, step daughter Taryn and Ali’s sister all supported it.

Jane said: “After Ali died we knew we had to carry on and it was a very emotional event but we received tremendous support and are delighted to hand over such a fabulous amount to the unit to buy new furniture for the

waiting area for patients and their visitors.”

The committee thanked their kind sponsors but in particular, Aquaspersions Ltd for sponsoring the entertainment, Richard Porter for sponsoring the diamond and Stone Dam Mills for supplying the new furniture at significantly

reduced rates.

They also thanked Lloyds Bank Foundation for the additional £500 fund match sent to Macmillan Cancer Support and Martin Sunderland for the entertainment and fundraising on the night.

Specialist nurse practitioner, Sarah Zeimer said: “They have done incredibly well in Ali’s memory which must have been very difficult emotionally for them all. We thank them and everyone who supported them very much indeed.”