THE Mayor of Stourport is inviting friends, colleagues and Wyre Forest residents to the annual Mayoral Charity Banquet and Ball to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Councillor Cliff Brewer is hosting the ball at the Civic Hall in New Street on Friday, April 24, starting at 6.45pm.

The grand evening features music from Jonah and the 45’s, featuring Neil ‘Jonah’ Jones from ITV’s Stars in their Eyes.

Mr Brewer said: “Basically the Mayoral Charity Ball is held annually. It’s the last event for the Mayor in their Mayoral year.

“We have a band performing and also two female singers at the event.

“The charity I have been raising money for this year is Macmillan Cancer Support. It’s just a great cause. It has benefitted a lot of people in Stourport.

“Many families in the area have had cancer affect them in the area, and they have been looked after by the Macmillan nurses.

“We hoped to raise between £3,500 and £4,000 throughout the whole year, and it looks like we should be able to do that for such a worthy cause.”

Also on the list of upcoming fundraising events for Macmillan is a sky jump next month.

Group table bookings for the charity ball are most welcome. The dress code for the evening is dinner jacket, dark lounge suit or uniform.

The banquet will include a starter of potato and leek soup or Brussels pate. A choice of main courses include sirloin of beef with wild mushroom, drambuie and cream sauce, chicken fillet with tarragon cream sauce or vegetarian option of roasted peppers filled with risotto. Desert will be caramel and apple pie with vanilla and cinnamon cream, white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake or a selection of cheese and biscuits with celery and grapes. Freshly brewed coffee and tea will be available.

Kelly Whitehouse, fundraising manager for Macmillan, said: "During Cllr Brewer’s year as Mayor of Stourport he has really thrown himself into a range of fundraising activities for Macmillan, together with his family and friends.

"The support given has meant that Macmillan can provide support for people affected by cancer and their families across the Wyre Forest. Cliff’s latest event, a charity ball to be held the Civic Hall, Stourport on 24th April will be his final push to ensure more cancer patients receive the financial, emotional and practical support that’s so needed when someone hears they have cancer.

"Thanks to the Mayor’s support team for their amazingly hard work and enthusiasm shown throughout the year.”

Tickets are £30 and are available by calling Caroline Gilday on 01562 732750.