MORE than £6,500 has been raised for charity at a special ‘Great Gatsby’ themed gala ball in Oldbury.

Following the cancellation of this year’s Oldbury Fun Run, several members of the village teamed up to organise a fundraiser for longstanding chosen charity Clic Sargent, with the eventual decision being to throw a summer ball.

The funds have now all been collected from the event, which was held at the Anchor Inn at Oldbury on June 22, a sell-out with 120 in attendance, all dressed to match the classic 1920’s theme.

Starting with canapés and a cocktail made from Thornbury’s own 6 O’Clock Gin, the guests enjoyed a two-course meal before hitting the dancefloor with a live band playing.

After dinner was the auction that saw 10 fantastic lots, including holidays to Portugal and Pembrokeshire, tickets for rugby matches between Bristol and Bath and a Mullberry handbag all on offer.

There was also a ‘best dressed’ competition which was won by Andy Clarke and Samantha Drake.

In total the ball raised an incredible £6,575.79 which will go directly to the charity.

“It’s brilliant to have raised so much, it was quite a surprise,” said organising committee member Kat Sorrell. “It is more than we expected or even hoped to raise so we are very pleased.

“We have had nothing but good comments and people have already been asking when we are going to hold it again next year.

“It has already been decided that we will be doing it again, but we aren’t entirely sure what we will do for it, we have a couple of ideas for a theme up in the air at the moment.”

The committee, which also consisted of Heather Sears, Amelia Sorrell, Celia Hill, Becky Broomfield and Ceri Blanchard have offered their thanks to the whole village for getting behind the event, and that without their donations and help, it would not have been a success

The committee also thanked Thornbury Rugby Club and Oldbury Memorial Hall for donating tables and chairs, and to Inside Out Marquees and to the Anchor Inn for providing the venue and food.