THE third Fulflood Ball is set to benefit a charity that helps vulnerable families.

Home-Start Winchester and Districts is the nominated charity to benefit from the ball, to be held on April 18 at Peter Symonds College.

Home-Start senior co-ordinator Anne Macpherson said: “Home-Start’s trained volunteers provide friendship, emotional and practical support to vulnerable families.

“We also provide family groups, parenting courses and outings and the money raised by the Fulflood Ball will make a real difference to the services we provide to local families over the year ahead.”

The £75-a-head event, which is run by a committee of local residents, is fast becoming a highlight on the Winchester social calendar, bringing the local community together for a glamorous evening of fun whilst raising money for a local charity.

Peter Symonds College will be transformed into a glitzy party venue where ball-goers can enjoy fabulous food, live music, dancing, a casino and dodgems.

For the third year running, local estate agents Belgarum will be the main sponsor.

Tickets for the ball will be on sale from January 31 at the Leaf & Bean Café on the Stockbridge Road.

The inaugural Fulflood Ball was held in 2012 and raised £8,000 for the children’s ward at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

The second event was in 2014 and raised £17,000 for the Theatre Royal.

The ball was the brainchild of local Fulflood mum and photographer Catherine Skinner and is organised by a committee of local residents.