A HOOK charity set up in the memory of a 29-year-old make-up artist who passed away with cancer raised £46,000 for the battle against the disease.

At a special ball on Saturday night, hundreds packed out Audleys Wood Hotel, in Basingstoke, to support Victoria’s Promise – an organisation set-up by family members of Victoria Van Der Westhuizen.

The glamorous occasion was the third ball that was held for the charity and saw people enjoy food, entertainment and an auction to raise funds for the charity.

Victoria was diagnosed with an aggressive form of retroperitoneum cancer in November 2013, but died two months later.

She had been raising funds for St Michael’s Hospice, in Basingstoke, where her father, David Eastman, was treated for cerebral lymphoma, and vowed to set up a charity having lost her grandmother to cancer and seeing her mother battle bowel cancer.

Alex Eastman, Victoria’s brother and co-founder along with mother Fiona and Victoria’s husband CJ, said: “We’re really delighted. It was a massive showing of support. 

“There is such a wonderful community of people close to the charity that has grown to such a massive support base. It was fantastic. 

“This money goes directly to supporting young women with cancer. It brings together people and offers support to them.”

He added: “As a charity we’re under three-years-old. £46,000 reflects a massive victory for us and to be able to double the excitement with the announcement of Dino as our new general manager.

“The support and generosity of everybody on the night shows how far we have actually come.It was amazing.”

Last year the fundraiser drew in £18,000 worth of donations.

The charity helps young women between the ages of 18 and 40 after they have been diagnosed with cancer.

It offers oncology massage, wig funding, specialist skincare and counselling and advice to people with the condition. 

“When our father passed away, Victoria and I spoke about how destructive cancer is,” Alex continued.

“It heavily impacted both of us and we wanted to think of ways we could support it. We made the promise to set-up a charity.

“She vowed to overcome the illness and use her experiences to help inspire other young people and although she isn’t here now, we as a family vowed to bring this charity vision forward.”

For more information about the charity visit victoriaspromise.com.