AN ANNUAL ball, which aims to fundraise to support the vital work of a cancer charity, has hit £50,000 in donations.

The Macmillan Macmillan Hopes and Dreams Ball is held at York Racecourse every year.

Matt Ascough, from Malton, is in the fifth year of organising. He is motivated to fundraise for Macmillan following the support he had from the charity eight years ago.

In 2013 Matt, then aged 26, was diagnosed with testicular cancer and was supported by a Macmillan nurse.

Matt, 34, said: "I’ve organised the Hopes and Dreams Ball for five years and it’s no easy feat, it takes over my life, but I’m motivated to do it so people can receive the excellent Macmillan care I had.

“Before I was diagnosed, I didn’t know Macmillan existed, without Macmillan support my experience would’ve been so much worse.

"My Macmillan nurse gave me a real lift. She was there after surgery and helped me understand the clinical side of my cancer."

Matt works as the assistant operations Manager at York Racecourse, and this year's Hopes and Dreams Ball took place at York Racecourse on Saturday (September 25) - after having been postponed twice because of the pandemic.

Matt went on to say: "I was disappointed when the ball had to be postponed last year but of course I understood, we’ve all gone through so much in the last 18 months it feels like the right time to be starting things back up again.

"I’m so proud of the fact I have raised over £50,000 for Macmillan. The pandemic has had a disastrous effect on the charity and I feel it’s important to do my part."

The ball, which welcomed around 500 guests, also included a casino and Ibiza Lounge.

Becci Shanks, Macmillan’s fundraising manager, said: "Everyone at Macmillan would like to extend our thanks and congratulate Matt on raising over £50,000. This phenomenal amount will make a massive difference to people living with cancer right here in Yorkshire.

"Every penny raised from Matt’s Ball will go towards Macmillan’s Yorkshire Appeal, helping people living with cancer across the region."