MORE than £11,000 was raised for disability charities in Reading at a winter ball held last month.

Stepping Forward, a disability service and support organisation in Reading, coordinated the fifth annual Winter Ball at The Hilton on Saturday November 16, bringing the total raised from this annual event to more than £60,000.

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The fundraising and networking ball for organisations working on disability issues in Reading involved a total of seven local charities: Autism Berkshire, Reading Mencap, Parenting Special Children, Green Health Thames Valley, The Engine Shed and the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre, Berkshire Phab and Stepping Forward.

Guests enjoyed a welcome glass of bubbly, three course meal and entertainment provided by covers band Love2Groove.

An auction on the night raised further funds, alongside a raffle with £1,000 of John Lewis vouchers as the main prize.

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Organiser and Trustee of Stepping Forward Sarah Snow said: "The event came about because individually most local disability charities do not have the capacity to put on a Fundraising Ball.

"By coming together, with the generous support this year of The David Brownlow Charitable Foundation and Bennetts Commercials, we are able to hold an enjoyable event that raised substantial funds for organisations that are experiencing a severe shortage of funds."