A WEDDING fashion show and charity ball have raised more than £2,300 for a York disabled children’s charity.

About 80 people enjoyed a night of fun and fundraising at the Georgina Grace Trust’s annual charity ball, held at the Royal York Hotel on Saturday night.

The evening, which included a drinks reception on the Yorkshire Wheel, entertainment by local soprano Rebecca Newman and a performance by tribute artist Paula Randell as Shirley Bassey, raised about £1,500.

Ruth Thompson, of the Poppleton-based charity, said the earlier fashion show at the Marriott Hotel in Tadcaster Road, raised more than £800, meaning the charity was getting close to being able to buy a paediatric treadmill for the physiotherapy department at York Hospital’s Child Development Centre.

She said more funds would be raised through a stall at a car boot sale being held at Poppleton Ousebank Primary School on Saturday, May 11.

The charity is named after Ruth’s daughter Georgina Grace Thompson, a young Poppleton girl, now aged eight, who had a stroke at birth and is registered blind and has epilepsy.

Georgina was born with CMV – Cytomegalovirus – a common virus which can pass unnoticed or cause only mild flu-like symptoms, but can cause more serious problems for babies who are infected.

The main risk is when women catch it for the first time in pregnancy.

The extensive care Georgina and her family have received prompted her parents to seek a way to repay those involved with her care by launching the trust.