Champagne flows at glitzy Party Girl Ball

1:00pm Monday 13th October 2008

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THE first ever Party Girl Ball in Dorchester was a glitzy affair featuring champagne and cocktail dresses.

The charity ball was organised in memory of Maria Richardson, from Maiden Newton, who died last year of cancer.

Her brother Pete Weller organised the ball because he wanted to give something back to a charity for seriously ill young adults – the Willow Foundation.

Pete, of Alexandra Road, Dorchester, described his sister fondly as ‘a girl who loved to go out and party’ and therefore named the ball the Party Girl Ball.

He said: “I like to think that Maria would be pleased with it.

“Maria died in October last year and this weekend she would have turned 41.”

The packed Corn Exchange hall sold out with 155 guests in their best suits and dresses.

Their evening began with a champagne reception and was followed by a three-course meal.

The guests were entertained by Tom Caines and Sam Travis playing the acoustic guitar.

After that the guests danced the night away to the sounds of Weymouth band Beaver.

With support from Pete’s wife Julie, his parents and a committee of eight the ball was hailed a success and they hope to make it an annual fundraising ball.

Ticket sales alone raised £3,000 with more money still to be collected from the evening.

The Willow Foundation offer special days out for seriously ill patients aged from 16 to 40.