A ball held in aid of baby charity Tommy’s has raised £8,300 to help fund research into pregnancy problems and help families affected by premature birth.

Emma and Justin Hargrave, of Ashlar Grove, Queensbury, Bradford, organised Evan’s Butterfly Ball which saw more than 100 guests attend the Design House restaurant in Halifax for a three-course meal, balloon raffle and auction. It was held in memory of their son Evan who was nearly nine months old when he died in 2009, having been born 13 weeks prematurely, weighing 1lb 4oz, when Emma suffered pre-eclampsia.

The couple had already suffered the heartache of losing their first son Joel in 2005, who was also born prematurely because of pre-eclampsia. He lived for just 30 minutes. Second son Cameron was stillborn at 26 weeks.

The couple thought Evan would survive after he battled through lung disease, surgery and infections for nine months. However, he died after contracting of E-coli.

Emma said: “The night was a fantastic success and a brilliant way to keep Evan’s memory alive.”