A SUMMER ball held to celebrate the first anniversary of Haslemere’s Hunter Centre, raised more than £15,000 for the day care support service.

The fundraising ball was held at the Lythe Hill Hotel. It was hosted by Anne Downing, chairman of the Hunter Centre and her committee, and co-ordinated by Lindsey Lunn.

More than 100 guests enjoyed the black tie event, which was also attended by Haslemere Mayor David Round and Mayoress Melanie Odell.

Local businesses and individuals donated prizes for the raffle and both the silent and traditional auctions, and professional auctioneer, John Nicholson of Fernhurst, raised more than £8,000 from his auction alone.

Mrs Downing opened the evening’s entertainment by thanking donors.

Outlining the progress made by the centre in its first year, she emphasised the continuing need to make everyone more aware of dementia and of the day care facilities offered by the Hunter Centre.

Carers trustee Margaret Barlow, a pillar of the centre, thanked its many supporters.

Particular thanks went to the staff, who are managed by Elaine Clement, and who were all invited with their partners to attend the ball.

While a percentage of the monies raised at the ball will be used for continuing daily costs, a large part will be spent on improving the furnishing, decoration and upgrade of the hall.

Mrs Downing told guests: “We need people such as you to look out for people you know who need help.

“Remember, it is often the carers who need more support, as they become worn down with their role.”

Shocked by Alzheimer Society’s announcement in January 2017, it was closing its day centre at Marjorie Gray Hall, Grayswood Road, the town rallied to preserve the service, which supports clients and carers from a wide area of Surrey, East Hampshire and West Sussex.

Thanks to a successful fundraising campaign, a new charity was formed and opened its own facility to continue the service in July 2017, named after Dr Anne Hunter, the pioneering Haslemere neurologist who helped found Alzheimer’s Society in 1979.

Due to increased demand, the Hunter Centre extended its opening hours in April to four days a week.

It also runs a dementia carers café on the fourth Tuesday of every month, where carers can seek advice and support.

•For more information email: [email protected] or call (01428) 654710.