Hollywood-themed charity ball raises more than £8,000 for stroke charity

A Hollywood-themed charity ball in Wolverhampton has raised more than £8,000 to support stroke survivors and their families.

BCRS Business Loans collected £8,111.23 for its charity of the year, Dudley Stroke Association, at an evening of entertainment and fundraising at Grand Station.

A total of 157 guests attended the event on Friday, October 16, with partygoers invited to dress as their favourite film characters or embrace red-carpet glamour.

Characters making an appearance included Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean, Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians, Mrs Doubtfire and Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction.

The evening opened with a performance by 23 youngsters from Kennedy's School of Dance, a dance school based in Sedgley which is sponsored by BCRS Business Loans.

Guests also heard from Dudley Stroke Association representatives Louise Brookes and Chris Briggs about the charity's work supporting stroke survivors, their families and carers across the borough.

The programme included a three-course meal, the lender's biggest raffle to date, a silent auction and live entertainment from singer and DJ Ed Cusick.

Stephen Deakin, chief executive of BCRS Business Loans, said: "Raising more than £8,000 for the Dudley Stroke Association is a phenomenal achievement that will directly support local stroke survivors and their families.

"To combine a night of incredible fun, from red-carpet glamour to fantastic performances by local talent, in aid of such a vital cause exemplifies the drive by BCRS Business Loans to make a positive difference to the local community."

Nick Pratt, chief officer of Dudley Stroke Association, thanked the business and everyone who contributed.

He said the event had been a wonderful opportunity to share the charity's work while raising vital funds.

BCRS Business Loans, a non-profit community lender based in Wolverhampton, provides finance to businesses across the West Midlands and Wales.