Ref. 76010-8 Garry HolmesNINE local charities have been picked to receive a cash boost, courtesy of this year's Charity Ball.

Swindon Scrapstore, The Open Door Centre, Swindon Therapy Centre, NSPCC North Swindon Family Centre, Broadgreen Breakfast Club, Leaves, Druglink, Lower Shaw Farm Children's Project and Reach Inclusive Arts will all receive a share of the proceeds from the ball on April 23.

The Lower Shaw Farm Children's Project will be getting cash to run environmental activity days for children during the school holidays, which include nature trials and arts and crafts activities.

Andrea Hirsch, the children's project co-ordinator, said: "We're really delighted because it will mean we can carry on with the programme of events for children and their families for the rest of the year."

The Swindon Therapy Centre for Multiple Sclerosis will also scoop some cash, which will be used to buy a hoist and three slings for the easy movement of sufferers.

Centre manager Jackie Wray said: "We're ecstatic that we've been picked.

"It's going to help improve members' quality of life and help our volunteers as well."

The NSPCC North Swindon Family Centre in Attworth Close, Penhill, is also set to benefit from the ball.

The centre is currently building an extension which will give it an extra three rooms and allow it to offer more services.

Manager Garry Holmes said: "We are hoping to extend our work with children with special needs and work with fathers.

"Most of the money we get from the ball will go on toys, some of which will be specialised toys."

The extension, which is about two-thirds completed, will cost about £140,000, including equipment.

Last year's ball, held at the Marriott Hotel in May, raised a record £44,000, which was divided between local causes such as The Green Hut drop-in centre, in Gorse Hill and Asthma Relief.

And money raised on the evening was doubled by Nationwide Building Society, thanks to its Pound For Pound scheme.

The Evening Advertiser, Nationwide, Swindon Rotary Club and the Marriott Hotel support the black tie bash.

And since the ball was launched in 1989 it has raised more than £440,000 for local charities.

Michelle Leighton, the community affairs manager for Nationwide, who is chairing the committee for this year's event, said: "Nationwide is again delighted to be involved with this ball and is very pleased that such a good mix of local charities are going to be funded by it.

"The evening of the ball is always lots of fun and I hope everyone has a great time this year while raising lots of money for these worthy causes."

A few tickets are still available for the ball and can be bought by calling Alison Brakespear on 01793 655064.

How the money will be spent

Swindon Scrapstore, Pinehurst People's Centre, Beech Avenue, Swindon, which collects clean, reusable waste from the business community, will receive cash towards a new Transit van

The Open Door Centre, Devizes Road, Swindon, a social and leisure club for adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities or mental health problems, will use cash for new furniture

Swindon Therapy Centre for Multiple Sclerosis will use a donation to buy a hoist and three slings to ensure safe manoeuvring of members by staff and volunteers in the centre

NSPCC North Swindon Family Centre, Atworth Close, Penhill, a drop-in centre for children and their families, will use money to extend its building

Broadgreen Breakfast Club, which provides a hot breakfast and shower facilities for the homeless, will use the money to pay food bills

LEAVES, Marlborough Road, Swindon, a non-profit-making social enterprise launched in June 2001 which provides work and employment for people recovering from mental health problems, will put cash towards a new vehicle.

Druglink, Victoria Road, Swindon, an independent agency providing a service to anyone whose life is affected by drug misuse, needs the cash for new computers.

Lower Shaw Farm Children's Project, which work with families and children from all over Swindon will use money to pay for activities

Reach Inclusive Arts, Pinehurst People's Centre, Beech Avenue, Swindon, which supports adults with learning difficulties, will use money to pay for project costs.

Ben Payne