A HAMPSHIRE charity is celebrating the most financially successful event in its 27-year history.

Fareham's Rainbow Centre hosted the first ball at the new Southampton Harbour Hotel, which raised £37,812.

The charity works with children and adults with cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and those recovering from a stroke or head injury and the ball proceeds will be enough to run its Early Intervention Unit for parents and under-threes with cerebral palsy for an entire term.

The unit's main focus is to help young children to develop essential skills such as looking, listening, vocalising, using their hands to explore, and moving about.

The Captain’s Ball in the Bow Suite at the super-yacht inspired hotel was a sell-out, playing host to more than

200 guests.

The evening started with a nautical-themed dance performance from ACO Entertainment and after dinner, guests were entertained with live music from local band, Take Note, and a casino supplied by Grosvenor Casinos.

Jewellers Laings generously donated a diamond pendant necklace to be raffled on the night, raising just over £3,000 alone.

Other auction lots included an exclusive tour of Land Rover BAR, one week sailing around the Greek islands and a bottle of wine signed by the Prime Minister.

Lara Bull, the Rainbow Centre's CEO said, “We were absolutely delighted to have been given the opportunity to host the inaugural ball for the newest venue in the Harbour Hotel chain.

“With so much interest in the hotel it gave us the opportunity to make this our biggest and most successful ball yet. Tickets sold out in less than two weeks – yet another record for the centre!"

Lara thanked the event's sponsors: Moore Blatch LLP, Jeff Shrimpton of Action Coach, Hantec Systems Limited, Appoint Group Recruitment Solutions, Stanbury Chameleon and Farleys Printers, Khan Morris Accountants, Questmap Estates and Wilkins Kennedy Chartered Accountants.

The charity will be hosting two Burns Night events in January – a Supper and Dance at Ferneham Hall in Fareham on January 26, and their first Burns Night event in Southampton at Southampton Solent University, on January 27.

Tickets for the events are £27.50 per person and can can be booked by calling 01329 289500 or by visiting rainbowcentre.org/events.