Star-studded ball gives Prince’s Trust a £20k boost

The Prince’s Trust in Lancashire has been given a boost of more than £20,000, thanks to one of the county’s biggest fundraising dinners, The Butterfly Ball.

The star-studded ball, now in its 5th year was at held at the Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa, near Blackburn earlier this month and was attended by more than 300 guests, including Lord and Lady Shuttleworth, the charity’s patrons.

The evening, which included entertainment from Scottish singer Barbara Dickson, former X Factor contestant Fleur East and Faces of Disco, a duo who found fame on Britain’s Got Talent, included a glittering champagne reception, sponsored by Moore and Smalley, and a three-course dinner

The money raised will support a number of Prince’s Trust projects for young people across Lancashire in areas such as Blackburn, Burnley, Preston and Blackpool.

Danny Houghton of the Butterfly Ball organising committee, said: “The Butterfly Ball has become a firm fixture in the Lancashire fundraising events calendar and we are thrilled that so many people were able to join us for the evening and help raise such a great amount of money for a very worthy cause.

“Over the years, we have seen just what a different The Prince’s Trust can make to young people in Lancashire and the charity does a huge amount of good work which we’re proud to support and hope this sum can help that work continue.

“We’re grateful for all the support we have received this year and look forward to doing it all again in 12 months’ time.”

The Prince’s Trust offers practical and financial support to young people between the ages of 13 -30 get into jobs, education or training. Many of the young people the Trust helps are in, or leaving, care, facing issues such as homelessness or mental health problems, or have been in trouble with the law.

The Trust has returned £1.4 billion in value to society through its help for disadvantaged young people over the last ten years alone.