EVENTS guru Lesley Loughridge is gearing up for her next charity ball – inspired by the support her family received when her husband was diagnosed with an incurable illness at the age of 39.

Lesley, founder and owner of Cheshire firm Elle Events, has organised a night of fine food and fantastic entertainment featuring BBC Jazz Vocalist of the Year award-winner Ian Shaw.

The event at The Mere Golf and Country Club on September 8 is being held in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the NSPCC.

It follows nine charity balls organised by Lesley in the 1990s and early noughties which raised £135,000 for the NSPCC.

Six weeks after the last ball she hosted in May 2005 her husband Mark died from motor neurone disease, aged 41.

The dad-of-three had been diagnosed with the progressive neurological condition two years earlier, when his children were five, eight and 10.

Lesley said: “Mark was there that night and had a great time. He had supported me for years with these fundraising events.”

Last autumn I thought ‘now is the time to do another’, and the MND Association was my first thought.

“I have always supported the NSPCC and am chairman of the local branch of the charity’s volunteer fundraising committee, but this time I also wanted to do something for the MNDA, who were so helpful when Mark was ill.

“This is my contribution to say thank you for the wonderful support they provided.”

Lesley said the MND Association Cheshire branch had provided invaluable support.

She said: “When Mark was diagnosed with MND I didn’t even know what it was. The lady who used to visit us from the MNDA was so helpful and supportive.

“We were trying to hold things together and keep life as normal as possible and she helped us to do that.”

September’s event will also welcome Sash Sings, a vocalist and songwriter who will be performing dance-floor fillers.

There will also be a DJ, raffle and auction, as well as a drinks reception and four-course meal.

Tickets for the Autumn Jazz Ball cost £70 - available by email to lesley909@gmail.com or calling 07803 616961. More details and booking at elle-events.co.uk