A MASQUERADE ball pulled in thousands of pounds for a local charity which supports seriously-ill children.

Over 250 people, including Miss Basingstoke 2015 Nicola Ascroft, flocked to Oakley Hall Hotel on October 17 for a charity masquerade ball hosted by Basingstoke charity, Anna’s Challenges, which supports children diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis.

Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited condition which is caused by a faulty gene. The gene controls the movement of salt and water in and out of a person’s cells so their lungs and digestive system become clogged with mucus, making it hard to breathe and to digest food.

Rachel and Paul Marke, of Pendennis Close, Winklebury, set up the charity in 2011 after they found out their daughter Anna, who is now seven-years-old, had the condition.

They originally planned to raise a few thousand pounds to purchase a piece of equipment for Basingstoke hospital but the charity has gone from strength to strength, raising over £110,000.

Since 2011, it has been able to purchase numerous pieces of equipment for the hospital, iPads for children to use as entertainment during their stays at hospital, toys and games, and they have been able to send nurses and physiotherapists on courses and conferences to improve understanding and treatment.

And the masquerade ball on October 17 pulled in an additional £8,500 for the charity.

On the night fundraisers enjoyed live music from local band, No Strings Attached, as well as a disco, raffle and auction featuring prizes such as a hot air balloon experience for two, an iPad and luxury hampers.

Rachel, who is 37, thanked the charity’s trustees – her husband Paul, Jeni Hackett, Karen Bennett and Dr Priya Ilangovan.

She told The Gazette: “We started the charity in 2011 by accident but it seems to have snowballed and we have raised over £110,000 to date so it has been absolutely phenomenal really.

“I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone. We certainly wouldn’t be anywhere without the people who have supported us. It is just phenomenal.

“They have really taken us under their wing and in their hearts and they have helped us to get to where we are. We have really been able to do so much for the hospital which way above any of our expectations so we are really grateful to everyone who has followed our journey.”

Nicola Ascroft added: “The charity masquerade ball was a huge success; their largest ball yet. It was wonderful to see so many people supporting such a fantastic charity, and how much of an effort everyone made with their masks!

“Rachel, her family and the Anna's challenges trustees, are truly inspirational people, who have done fantastic things and raised an incredible amount of money to help local children with CF.”