This is Me Foundation recently held an extremely successful fundraising Gala Ball at the De Valence in Tenby. This extravagant ball was held in memory of Nicole Ferguson, from St. Florence, who passed away aged just 48, from breast cancer.

The event raised over £17,000 and the money has been distributed between Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, Ward 10 Withybush Hospital, Tenovus, Peony Ward Prince Phillip Hospital, as well as a small amount to a local teenager in need.

Friends and family pulled out all of the stops with the event; they had St. Teilo’s school choir performing songs from The Greatest Showman, one of Nicole’s favourite films. A three-course meal was served by local chef Mark Phillips and team from the Stone Crab, Saundersfoot. During the meal, Stagecoach Performing Arts from Carmarthen entertained the guests with their singing and dancing.

The main event was an auction which was generously supported by local businesses and friends. They had holidays, sporting memorabilia, paintings and tours among the lots. The evening finished with a disco.

Nathan Ward, Nicole’s husband, said: “We are overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity. I’m sure Nicole would have been so proud of our efforts. Nicole was a fervent fundraiser, raising substantial funds for St. Teilo’s School and more recently for cancer support services.

“It was fitting to bring people together to celebrate Nicole’s life, her work, her memory and carry on her good work by raising funds for such worthy causes. We plan to work with Paul Sartori and other local cancer services. I’d like to thank everyone involved in helping to make the Gala Ball such a huge success.”

Paul Lister, chair of Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, said: “It is through the generosity of local people that organise fundraisers like this Gala Ball, that we can continue to provide this much-needed service for anyone in the later stages of any life-limiting illness. £6,500 was donated to Paul Sartori and this will help towards purchasing new equipment and hands-on nursing care.”

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home provides a range of services to Pembrokeshire people living in the final stages of a life-limiting illness, including home nursing care, equipment loan, complementary therapy, bereavement and counselling support, under 18s anticipatory grief and bereavement support, physiotherapy, advance care planning and training.

The services provided by the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home enable people in the later stages of any life-limiting illness to be cared for and to die at home with dignity, independence, pain free and surrounded by those they hold most dear, if that is their wish.

All of the services are free of charge and are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, thanks to the generosity of the Pembrokeshire Community.

Further information on the charity and its services can be obtained by visiting their website www.paulsartori.org, or by phoning 01437 763223.