A LUNG cancer team have now raised a staggering £50,000 for cancer care – all from a charity ball they set up and host each year.

The theme of this year’s Macmillan lung cancer charity night was a masquerade ball, with the glittering event hosted at Hardwick Hall, in Sedgefield.

The annual fundraiser is organised by lung cancer nurses who work for the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, supported by staff, patients and relatives, as well as many others touched by the invaluable service they provide.

Richard Storry, from Stokesley Auction House, gave his expertise free of charge for the night, taking on the role of auctioneer, while the band Sole Capital got guests into the groove.

The event helped raise a fantastic £11,770, which is split every year between the trust’s lung cancer fund and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The overall grand total raised over the last four years now stands at more than £50,000, which will support countless patients and their families in need of specialist care and overdue respite.

Jeanette Draffan, lung cancer specialist nurse, said: “To raise so much money over the last four years is a phenomenal achievement – thank you to everyone for their support.

“The money in the trust fund goes towards providing much needed equipment such as nebulisers for lung cancer patients as well as diagnostic equipment, while the money donated to Macmillan provides lung cancer patients, locally and nationally with necessary support."

Ms Draffan added: “Planning the charity ball takes the team a year and they are already planning next year’s event on November 23.”

Anyone interested in purchasing tickets for the next fundraiser in 2019, donating a prize or generally getting involved to support the cause, can contact the lung cancer nurses on 01642-624106.