Rosie May's ball raises £44,000 at Belvoir Castle

The event was organised by Rosie May’s parents Graham and Mary Storrie and held on the Belvoir Castle estate earlier this month.

Graham said: “We are overwhelmed by the generosity of guests at the ball. The last Rosie May ball in 2014 raised £32,000 so we have complete smashed our target.

“This year’s figure is staggering and I think people like to know that 100 per cent of the amount raised goes directly to Rosie May Foundation to help children in crisis in the UK, Sri Lanka and Nepal.”

The home for orphaned and abandoned girls, which was opened in December 2008, was set up by Graham and Mary in memory of their daughter following the Boxing Day tsunami that hit the island in 2004.

Mary said: “Nearly 400 guests turned up to the glittering ball, both local and as far away as Switzerland and Germany. Charity patron’s Her Grace, the Duchess of Rutland and BBC presenter, Geeta Pendse, also attended.

“The quintessentially English theme of the ball was very fitting, not only for the location of an English castle but also for Rosie May, as May is her birthday and she loved Maypole dancing on May Day.

“We would like to thank sponsors and everyone who donated their valuable time, skills, auction prizes and gave generously to enable us to raise such a fantastic amount which will go a long way in developing the countries of Sri Lanka and Nepal.”

The Rosie May Memorial Fund was founded in memory of 10-year-old Rosie May, from Bottesford, who was murdered in 2003. Visit www.rosie-may.com