A land of wonder and enchantment greeted guests arriving for a fundraising ball in aid of the Born in Bradford Project.

Party-goers were welcomed through a virtual snow-storm against a stunning and evocative Winter Wonder- land backdrop.

Saturday's ball at The Hilton Hotel in Bradford was the first major fundraiser for the groundbreaking project aiming to improve health and discover the causes of disease and disability.

Barbara Jackson, fundraising manager for Born in Bradford, said it had been a sell-out, with around 400 guests giving their support.

"It was a really magical evening and just shows how much support we can count on from the city."

Alongside the glamour of the event, an emotive video reminded guests of the project's importance to the city's future health.

They heard how Bradford contains some of the most deprived areas of the country where babies are twice as likely to die before the age of 12 months, where children are twice as likely to have cerebral palsy and where conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, heart and lung disease are prevalent.

"Why does my daughter have liver disease?" asks one parent on the video. A small boy gasping into his inhaler pleads: "Why do I have asthma?"

Born in Bradford aims to stop the suffering to provide doctors with the information to come up with solutions and make Bradford a healthier and wealthier place to live.

Every pregnant woman who attends Bradford Royal Infirmary will be asked to take part in the project.

Professor Neil Small, of the School of Health at the University of Bradford, said: "Bradford's babies are not as healthy as elsewhere and we need to find out why. The city is being rebuilt and these babies being born now are the citizens of the 21st century. If we do not ensure their good health then everything is merely superficial."

Professor John Wright, director of research and development at Bradford Teaching Hospitals, said: "This is our first big fundraising event and launches the Born in Bradford research project.

"We are amazed about the turnout which shows the commitment local people have to supporting a research programme that will improve the health of children in this city."

Competition prizes were donated by various Bradford businesses, with Mumtaz, the Great Horton Road-based restaurant and food company, donating several thousand pounds to the appeal.

Fundraiser Linda Pollard said £1 million had already been raised, but at least £3 million was a target.

Project manager Dr Pauline Raynor added: "This is the first big fundraiser for Born in Bradford and I'm absolutely delighted to see such strong support for it."

To find out how you can help, visit www.borninbradford.nhs.uk. .

e-mail: jonathan.walton@bradford.newsquest.co.uk