Ref. 24275-03MONEY raised from this year's Marriott Charity Ball will improve the lives of many of the town's young that's the message from one charity set to benefit.

Nine local charities will receive a share of the £40,000 the ball expects to raise when it is held on Saturday, May 8, at the Swindon Marriott Hotel.

As the ball approaches, the Evening Advertiser is looking at how each of the beneficiaries will use the fundraising money.

And Deb Bignell of the Friends of Young Carers group, who are due to pocket £7,000, said: "We will use this money to start a newsletter and to increase the number of activities we have on offer.

"It is important these young people know there is help and support there if they want it.

"Starting the newsletter with the Marriott money will enable us to reach out to more young carers and in turn improve their lives."

The group caters for five to 17-year-olds who look after ill or disabled parents or siblings. The youngsters have the chance to meet with other people in similar situations and take part in social activities such as ice-skating or ten-pin bowling.

Some children in and around Swindon spend up to 50 hours a week caring for relatives as well as going to school and carrying out household chores.

Another youth charity due to gain from the Marriott Charity Ball is Park North's Stepping Forward group.

The group helps youngsters who have been excluded from school and have had problems coping in mainstream edu-cation.

They currently teach 15 pupils up to GCSE level in key subjects.

The group expects to receive £2,500 and the money will be used to help run a drop-in centre and also to improve the centre's outdoor facilities.

Sue Quinn, project adminis-trator at Stepping Forward, said: "The money will allow us to maintain our drop-in centre.

"We also plan to do up our outdoor area which will benefit not only the project users but also the community."

This year the total raised since the Swindon Rotary Club launched the ball in 1989 will exceed £400,000.

Nationwide, the event's main sponsor, matches the money raised pound for pound.

The Evening Advertiser is also backing the ball, which includes dinner, dancing and an auction of goods donated by local businesses.

Rob Harman, chairman of the Marriott Charity Ball Committee, said: "Everyone that has supported and been involved in the running of this annual event should take pride in the monies they have raised for the benefit of local charities over the years."

Emma-Kate Lidbury