A staggering £60,000 was raised in just one night at a highly anticipated black-tie gala to mark Cynthia Spencer Hospice’s 50^th anniversary.

Famous faces including radio presenter and former Communards musician Reverend Richard Coles and local singing sensation Billy Lockett were special guests at the event, which was held at Hanger One, Sywell Aerodrome, to celebrate the hospice’s five inspirational decades of palliative care for the Northamptonshire community.

It was an impressive guestlist, with Lord Althorp Louis Spencer, Vice Lord Lieutenant for Northamptonshire Anne Burnett, CEO of ICB Toby Sanders, Hospice UK CEO Toby Porter, Mayor of Brackley Jason Kew, Mayor of Northampton Cllr Mike Hallam and Deputy Mayor of Daventry Cllr Karen Tweedale all in attendance.

The esteemed guests also enjoyed a performance from Northampton Sings Out and an auction led by Bargain Hunt’s auctioneer Thomas Forrester alongside a sumptuous three-course meal, prize raffle and dancing, which made for a memorable evening.

On the night, the charity announced that the event had raised £50,000, but monies continued to trickle in, with the final total resting at a huge £60,597!

All proceeds will go to the charity to ensure vital funds to enable Cynthia Spencer Hospice Charity to continue supporting local people and their families for many years to come.

Cynthia Spencer Hospice Charity CEO Asma Maya Joseph-Hussain said: “Thank you to everyone who made our gala such a meaningful and unforgettable occasion. We are so grateful for your kindness and for joining us to mark this golden milestone. We couldn’t have done it without you.

“Our Black-Tie Gala was a wonderful tribute to 50 years of support for local families, made even more special by the kindness of our supporters. Together, we raised more than £60,000, helping us continue supporting specialist end of life services across Northamptonshire.

“These funds will help ensure that patients and their loved ones receive comfort, dignity and expert support when they need it most.

“Thank you to all our special guests and to the wonderful Brightspace Events who gave us such brilliant support in organising.

“Thank you also to our sponsors, EMW Law LLP, Anglotech, Winvic, The Brady Creative, dbfb, Prestige and DJH Ravcon. What a night to remember.”

To view a gallery of pictures from the Black-Tie Gala visit https://cynthiaspencer.org.uk/black-tie-gala/