A MOVIE-THEMED Charity Ball will raise funds for a trust dedicated to inspirational young man Neil Vines.

Neil, 22, from Nupend near Stonehouse, died last April after battling a form of brain cancer for nearly three years.

After his passing his relatives set up the Neil Vines Trust to commemorate the greatly-missed young sportsman and raise money for other families going through the struggle of long-term illnesses.

Nearly one year on, the trust is going from strength to strength as friends, family and strangers alike continue to pledge their support.

This month fundraiser Mel Wellings from Ryeford near Stonehouse is planning to donate the money raised from her annual Charity Ball.

She and her son Tomasz, 21, have organised the annual event on St. Georges Day, April 23, at the Whitminster Inn Orchard Marquee.

Mel, 54, said: “My friend’s nephew Neil lost his battle with brain cancer last year.

“During this time he and his family really befitted from weekend trips which allow families and young people with cancer to share quality time with each other.

“Now the Trust is trying to raise funds to build a lodge at the Waterpark in Cirencester as a similar kind of weekend retreat.

“This time spent together is very precious to many families. So it is my aim to raise as much as possible to help them reach their target and start this amazing build.

“I feel very privileged to be involved with such a worthy cause, so I want to make this the biggest fundraising event I’ve ever done.”

The theme of Melanie’s ball this year will be A Night at the Movies, so she is asking everyone to come dressed as their favourite film character.

“We’ve an absolutely amazing line-up of thing planned for the night,” added Mel, who works as senior accounts manager at textile manufacturer Marlings in Stanley Mills.

“There will be a three course meal and live music by Tommy & The Fuse.

“I also have the actual stunt double of Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean coming along in character – and he’s a spitting image.

“So there will be a costume competition with a fabulous prize going to the winner.

“I will also be organising an auction which will include a signed guitar donated by singer James Morrison.

“We will also have a raffle so if anyone would like to make a gift donation it would be very much appreciated.

“Prizes include water skiing lessons, a massage at a luxury hotel and tickets to a motorcycle event. There are some amazing stuff up for grabs.

“This will mean so much to the local community and truly make a difference to people’s lives, which is what it is all about.”

Mel has organised similar events for the last three years and raised more than £1,000 for worthy organisations in Gloucestershire, including Longfield at Minchinhampton.

She started holding the ball to raise money to support the British Heart Foundation in memory of her brother Adrian.

To book your place or table please call Melanie on 07764 261761 or email melw@marlings.co.uk

Please also take the time to read about Neil’s story - www.neilvines.com

His inspirational story is captured in his memoir, Powerful Beyond Measure, which was published just days before he passed away.