WITH much of the year's calender events wiped out by the Covid-19 pandemic, Hope House is hoping to bring a charity ball into your front rooms.

The charity was set to hold its 2020 Under the Sea-themed Ball on Saturday, June 27 at the Lion Quays Hotel, near Oswestry, with more than 200 tickets sold for the gala evening.

But when Covid-19 led to its cancellation, organiser Lynsey Kilvert and her team decided to come up with a totally different way to stage the event, which raises vital funds to care for terminally-ill children who use Hope House and Ty Gobaith children’s hospices.

The result is ‘Bringing the Big Night Out, In’, which will take place the weekend after next – a live streamed event that will give hundreds of guests the opportunity to tune in and get involved from the comfort of their own homes.

“We had such amazing plans for our Ball, with incredible decorations and entertainment and everyone had been so generous donating such fantastic raffle and auction prizes that we couldn’t face not going ahead,” said Lynsey.

“The plan now is to live stream the event on YouTube so that everyone can get involved from their own homes, and it will be interactive because you will be able to post photographs on our facebook event page and also bid online in the auction and buy online raffle tickets.

“We have already got off to a flying start because the wonderful sponsors of our Under the Sea Ball, Select-a-Skip and GS and PA Reeves Timber, are still supporting the virtual event, and some of the companies who bought tables have donated the money instead including Arfon Dwyfor Training, Acota, Nexus Electrics and RBF Services.

"They are all amazing.”

The evening will begin at 8pm on June 27 and will include special entertainment from popular local bands as well as live video clips from children and families who have benefitted from the charity’s services. The highlight will be the online auction and raffle.

Lynsey is hoping hundreds of people from far and wide will tune in for the event – just visit the Hope House You Tube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClePRYuxyu4f5b7uj201GRQ

You can also join in the chat and share photos on the Hope House event page https://www.facebook.com/events/697272917509750/

The online auction and raffle will be open from next Wednesday at www.hopehouseauction.com and will feature stunning lots including hampers, jewellery and holidays.

“The beauty of having the event online means that everyone can come and numbers are unlimited – you can join us from anywhere in the world!” said Lynsey.

“You can still get dressed up if you want to, but equally you can take part in your slippers. It is incredibly exciting to be doing something so different and we can’t wait to see what happens and how much we can raise to help care for terminally-ill local children in these difficult times.”