A STUNNING charity ball held in Linton has raised �40,000 for the Cambridge Breast Cancer Research Unit at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

Chilford Hall Vineyard and Conference Centre hosted the Pink Rose Ball supported by Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT).

The event was organised by Jackie Wishart, wife of Professor Gordon Wishart, consultant breast and endocrine surgeon at Addenbrooke’s, to raise funds towards diagnostic equipment for the unit that opened in 2008, and will support the surgical research programme.

Almost 300 people attended including Jeffrey and Mary Archer, TV presenters Diana Binks and Derek Thompson, Wally and Walter Swinburn and some of Cambridgeshire’s top business owners.

The evening included a champagne reception and three-course dinner, followed by a ‘Money Can’t Buy’ auction with auctioneer Jeffrey Archer. Prizes were donated from all over the country, and included a personal commission by illustrator Quentin Blake, a day at Newmarket with champion jockey Wally Swinburn, including breakfast with the Queen’s trainer, a tour of the McLaren factory, a day with the Channel 4 racing team behind the scenes, a day with the Red Arrows, a swimming lesson with Olympian Mark Foster and a day at exclusive fashion exhibition Pure with the fashion buying team from Anne Furbank.

A raffle took place during the evening with prizes from all over the country including meals for two, wine, glider trip, football tickets and much more.

The auction raised �12,000, with the commissioned illustration by Quentin Blake raising �5000, and the raffle raised �6000.

Organiser Mrs Wishart said: “This money means a great deal to the unit who will now be able to purchase the equipment required for the ongoing research programme.

“I’d like to express gratitude to everyone who generously donated prizes, everyone had a fantastic night and I would like to thank everyone who supported the event at Chilford Hall.”

For more information visit chilfordhall.co.uk