A CHARITY ball broke records after raising thousands for Teesside families in need.

Over 550 guests turned up to Teesside Philanthropic Foundation’s annual Charity Ball which raised its biggest total of £79,000 and featured a dinner, live bands, dancing, auction and raffle at Wynyard Hall.

One of the night’s highlights was a film about four of the local causes the Foundation has supported over the past 12 months – Bloodrun, Wag and Company, St Hilda’s Youth and Community Project and St Bede’s RC Primary Academy.

The film inspired generous donations amounting to £21,000 to enable the Foundation to support similar good causes in the months ahead.

Two auctions raised more than £17,000, with one winning bidder getting a week-long stay in a 12-bed luxury Mallorcan villa for £5,000, while £1,500 was bid to play in the annual Jimmy Tarbuck Golf Classic in Portugal, donated by charity patron Barney Ord.

A further £5,860 was raised through the sale of 260 raffle tickets priced £20 each with a prize guaranteed every time.

New chair of trustees Lee Bramley, of local law firm The Endeavour Partnership, said he was delighted that Teesside companies joined together to raise the record amount of money.

He said: “The Foundation’s Charity Ball has become Teesside’s social event of the year – it never fails to bring out the very best in our region’s generous people.

“Thanks to their generosity, we were again able to raise life-changing amounts of money – every penny of which will stay right here on Teesside.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the way the companies and people of Teesside pull together to give such support to help their fellow Teessiders in need.”