MORE than a year after a woman died in a North-East hospice, her niece has organised a charity ball which aims to raise £5,000.

Clair McGregor, who runs the Party Godmother shop, in Railway Street, Bishop Auckland, has sold nearly 300 tickets at £25 each for a Grand Masquerade Ball in memory of her aunt, Margaret Bowman.

The proceeds will be divided between St Teresa’s Hospice, in Darlington, and Cancer Research UK.

Ms Bowman, who lived in Woodham, Newton Aycliffe, was 60 when she lost a year-long battle against a rare form of cancer last year.

It was the care she received in her last days at St Teresa’s which persuaded her niece to organise the event, with the support of Ms Bowman’s partner, coal merchant John Allison.

“The hospice was there when my aunt needed it and it was such a lovely place. We just wanted to say thank you to the hospice and also raise money for Cancer Research UK,” said Ms McGregor.

With only a few tickets remaining, guests are coming from far and wide for the event.

One old friend, Lynne Rudd, now Lynne Saporito, is flying from Boston in the US to be there.

Other friends are travelling from Birmingham.

Ms Bowman worked at the former GEC factory in Aycliffe, rising from a production line worker to training officer.

She went on to work on the cosmetics counter in Binns department store, in Darlington, and then at Durham Tees Valley airport, before leaving to work with her niece in her party planning shop.

Mr Allison, said: “Those close to Margaret feel that we would like to raise funds to help St Teresa’s to repay their kindness.”

He said hospice staff “gave her all the care possible to ensure that her last hours were spent peacefully and in dignity”.

He said local businesses approached to donate raffle prizes had been very generous.

The Grand Masquerade Ball will take place at Ramside Hall Hotel, near Durham City, on Saturday, April 24, at 7pm.

Guests will have a three-course meal and will be entertained by a dance band and professional compere.

Any friends of Margaret Bowman who would like the remaining tickets should ring Clair, on 0796-8174-512.