A GROUP of women danced the night away, managing to collect more than £4,000 for charity.

Members of the Bramley WI Lite welcomed 116 women to their Sapphires and Sparkles fundraising event held at Sherfield-on-Loddon village hall.

Guests were greeted with a glass of bubbly on arrival before the fundraising got underway with a table raffle, auctions and various other games all adding to the total of £4,131.83.

All the money raised from the event will be split between going back into the Bramley group’s fundraising efforts and providing support for families on the children’s ward at Basingstoke hospital.

Child health clinical services manager at Basingstoke hospital, Trish Le Flufy said the money raised by the Bramley WI Lite will make a huge impact on local children’s lives.

She said: “On behalf of the children’s ward at Basingstoke and North Hampshire hospital a huge thank you to the members of Bramley WI Lite.

“The effort that went into fundraising for this event and making the night a success was huge.

“The £2,065.92 donated as a result will make a significant difference to the lives of local children and their families.”

The remaining share of the fundraising will go to help with the running costs of the Bramley WI Lite group for the next few years, meaning they can run bigger and better events for its members, and guarantee that it will be here to provide a way for local women to make friends and support one another in a fun environment.

President of Bramley WI Lite Anne Grant said the group was “extremely grateful” for the support of local and national companies such as the Hampshire Court Hotel, Odiham Cake Company and Tylney Hall Hotel.