The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, is supporting efforts to raise more than £60,000 for St Leonard’s Hospice at the next Sunflower Ball, to be held in a year’s time at York Racecourse.

Dr Sentamu who is President of St Leonard’s, joined the Hospice’s Chairman of Trustees, Graham Millar, at Bishopthorpe Palace to launch the event, to be held on 24 April 2010.

Held every two years, the Sunflower Ball is the Hospice’s largest single fundraiser. The 2008 Sunflower Ball raised more than £65,000 and the Organising Committee hopes to at least equal that amount next year.

St Leonard's needs to raise £2.8 million each year from donations and other fundraising initiatives like the Ball. All profits from the Ball will go direct to the Hospice to support the day to day running costs of the Hospice.

The 2010 Sunflower Ball will also be one of the events that mark the 25th anniversary of St Leonard’s, which admitted its first in-patients in 1985.

Dr Sentamu said, “Please join me by helping to support the St Leonard’s Hospice as it reaches its 25th anniversary year. I give thanks for the army of volunteers, doctors and nurses who share the benefit of their expertise to help alleviate the pain and suffering of patients and their families. It is my hope that the Ball is a great success”.

The Ball Committee would be pleased to receive offers from local companies who could help to make the evening a success by offering sponsorship, by taking tables on the night, by donating prizes or by any other support that they would like to offer!

Tickets for the 2010 Sunflower Ball are now on sale at £75 per guest - this includes a Champagne drinks reception, four course dinner plus coffee and chocolates, live bands, disco and casino, breakfast and a full programme of entertainment until the early hours. For tickets or to offer any other support to the evening’s success please e-mail helenwilliams@cellhire.com or call the Hospice Fundraising Centre on 01904 77 77 77.

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