CHARITY fundraisers are urging people to attend their ball as they face a potential £4,000 shortfall.

The Liberties & Co Gatsby Christmas Ball will take place on Saturday, December 3, from 7pm, at the Mercure Hotel, Bingley.

But 60 guests who had pledged their support have now decided not to attend – leaving them with 100 out of 200 tickets, priced £40 each, left to sell.

All proceeds from the annual event will go to the Petal Childhood Children’s Cancer Research charity, based in Skipton.

It will feature a three-course meal and live entertainment, organised by Liberties & Co, a beauty salon in Bailey Hills Road, Bingley.

The event is inspired by the 1925 novel The Great Gatsby, by F Scott Fitzgerald, and those attending are invited to wear 1920s-themed dress.

Event organiser Rachael Delaney, 36, a holistic therapist at Liberties & Co, and a former actress who appeared in Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, said it was hoped a cast member from Emmerdale would appear at the ball.

She said: “It’s a shame that that many people have pulled out, but hopefully it won’t come to us having to pay for the shortfall.

“This is the first time that this has happened.”

She said of the charity: “There is more and more awareness of children getting cancer, there is more and more coverage of it.

“It is about pulling together.

“Everybody who is in this situation needs the support of their friends and family. Children’s cancer is such a big thing.

“I have three children myself and would do what I can to raise money for children who had cancer.”

The Christmas ball ticket sales is the latest blow to Liberties & Co after its building fell victim to last year’s Boxing Day floods, and had to close until March this year.

Petal Childhood Cancer Research, previously known as Ribble Valley & White Rose Ladies, was set up by Karen Weaving to raise funds specifically for research into childhood cancers for Cancer Research UK, and has raised £1.25 million since 1997.

It has a committee of seven volunteers who organise a number of fundraising events every year.

Karen urged people to attend the Christmas ball.

She said: “They have raised £3,000 at past balls. Hopefully they will be able to do something similar this year.

“We have been tied with Liberties & Co for the last four years.

“It’s a fantastic event. It’s going to be a good night. They are very committed to run it.

“We will be going as we try to support everybody who supports us.”

Tickets for the Christmas ball are priced £40 each, with tables of ten also available.

For more information on tickets, call Liberties & Co on 01274 787779.

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