ARMY wives have raised £10,000 to help soldiers' families by organising a charity ball.

The women, who are based at Catterick Garrison, held the Spring Charity Ball in aid of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) on Saturday, March 15.

The ball opened with a musical display by the Heavy Cavalry and Cambrai Band followed by the Corps of Drums, the Second Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment with a display during dinner.

The evening was attended by the Richmond MP William Hague, who gave a speech after dinner. He was accompanied by his wife, Ffion.

Last year was particularly hard for the Army base, which lost 27 service men and women in combat in the Middle East. A further 169 were wounded in action.

Sarah Gillespie, an SSAFA committee member and GP at the Garrison Medical Centre, said she had been moved to tears by the situation of servicemen and their families.

"I see at first hand the huge burden that has been placed on service wives and children, and I am always impressed by the fortitude they show," she said.

"If it wasn't for the invaluable work of organisations such as SSAFA, then these soldiers and their families may never get access to this extraordinary type of support that they need and deserve."

Brigadier Tim Evans, MBE, of Catterick Garrison, said: "What an excellent event, and such a worthy cause - £10,000 is a tremendous figure to raise in one evening."

For details of SSAFA Forces Help, visit ssafa.org.uk