A CHARITY ball held in memory of dedicated fundraiser Helen Straker has raised thousands of pounds for causes she championed.

Mrs Straker died from cancer aged 62 in September, 2013, but fundraising she started for Dorothy House and the Forever Friends Appeal at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, has been continued by her estate agent husband Gordon.

In the weeks leading up to her death, which came after a 13 year battle against the disease, she was still organising a dinner for the two charities.

On Saturday the first Helen Straker autumn ball was held at the Assembly Rooms in Bath and proceeds will be donated equally between the charities.

Mr Straker, trustee of the Helen Straker Charity, licensee of The Bear Hotel, Devizes, and chairman of Strakers estate agents, said: “It was a wonderful evening of great food, great music and delightful company. Helen would wholeheartedly approve of our ongoing efforts to raise money for her chosen charities to help others in the future and we are very proud to do so.

"Thank you to all the sponsors who supported the ball and to everyone who helped make it such an exceptional evening, particularly the charity's board of Trustees.”

More than 220 guests, many from local companies, attended the event which started with a champagne reception followed by a three course dinner, an auction and dancing to a Bath-based band The Swingers.

The auction was the highlight of the evening and was hosted by Andrew Fleming, a Trustee of the Helen Straker Charity. It featured a weekend charter for ten people on a luxury yacht in Mallorca, a two night stay in Copenhagen, a helicopter flight and stay at Calcot Manor Hotel and a lavish lunch on a 1920's Belmond British Pullman train.

The Helen Straker Charity was officially registered in 2014 and since then has raised £186,000.

Phillippa Watson, head of fundraising at Dorothy House Hospice Care said: “The Charity Ball was a terrific success and a real tribute to all the hard work and fundraising efforts of Gordon Straker and the charity Trustees. Dorothy House cared for Helen during her illness since 2002 and we are honoured to be one of the chosen charities of the Helen Straker Charity, especially during our 40th birthday year.”

Jan Witt, In Memory & Legacy Officer, The Forever Friends Appeal said: “What a great night was had by all at Saturday's ball, once again the Trustees pulled out all the stops to make the evening a magnificent and memorable occasion. Helen was a keen supporter of the Appeal and we are absolutely honoured that Gordon, his family, friends and the Trustees have continued with Helen’s fundraising legacy and supported us over many years.”

The proceeds of the Ball will be announced in December along with all the funds raised in 2016.