Worsley ball to raise cash for charities helping children ‘going through the hardest times’

A charity ball will be hosted in Worsley by Salford families affected by cancer.

The Sunflower Charity Ball, which will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Worsley, is supporting The Emma Cosgrove Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Manchester.

Clare Ashton, who previously hosted the event in 2022 and 2024, was deeply impacted by the work The Emma Cosgrove Foundation does after her son was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia when he was 14.

The charity supported him throughout the three and a half years of chemotherapy.

She said: “He had a port in his chest, and it was quite traumatic for him. The nurses came with the gift from The Emma Cosgrove Foundation and it was a pair of trainers that he wanted.”

“We were lucky enough to celebrate the end of his treatment last year, and the charity helped grant one of his wishes along the way,” added Clare.

The Emma Cosgrove Foundation’s aim is to “provide relief and support to teenagers and young adults suffering from or affected by cancer.

The Foundation provides personalised experiences, wish packs and help and support for those affected and their families.

The ball is also supporting Ronald McDonald House Manchester.

The charity focuses on keeping families together while a child is in hospital, by providing “a warm and comfortable place to rest, eat and relax, just moments away from their child’s hospital ward.”

The Manchester House housed 568 families in 2024.

Caroline Byrne, another host of the event, whose son was diagnosed with a rare condition and stayed in the hospital for nine weeks, says she has seen the difference Ronald McDonald House makes.

Clare said: “We all know how much these charities do for families going through the hardest times, so we wanted to give something back and hopefully raise enough to help others the way they helped us.”

Tickets cost £70 per person, or £65 each for tables of 10+.

The night includes drinks on arrival, a three-course meal, live entertainment, raffles, and “a few surprises along the way.”

Clare said: “It’s shaping up to be such a special night – full of laughter, celebration and a whole lot of fun.”

Tickets can be booked through sunflowerball25@hotmail.com.