A GROUP of friends are looking for sponsors as they start organising next year's annual summer ball in aid of Barnardo's.

After two successful events in 2013 and 2014, which raised more than £24,000 for Barnardo's, friends Nina Fryer, Catharine Marshall and David Conway are now seeking sponsors for what they hope will be their biggest event yet in June 2015.

Next year's event will again seek to raise funds for Barnardo's SECOS programme which works with children and young people on Teesside who have been sexually exploited.

The inaugural Summer Ball, which only happened because Catharine Marshall had a new dress and nowhere to wear it, was held in August 2013 and hosted 150 paying guests, raising £9,000 for SECOS.

Due to this early success, the small committee of three decided to try it again in 2014, which saw 230 guests donning their best suits and dresses to raise more than £15,500 for Barnardo’s.

For the third year running, Gisborough Hall at Guisborough will again play host to the ball on Saturday, June 13.

Nina Fryer said: "While we have secured sponsorship from Newcastle Clinic for the third consecutive year, we are now actively seeking a main event sponsor to assist us in taking the Summer Ball up a gear."

Anyone wanting to help should visit www.summer-ball.co.uk