A charity fundraising ball organised to remember a much-loved Chester schoolgirl who died of a brain tumour raised £30,000 for sick children.

The Rydell High Ball took place at the Chester Racecourse pavilion in aid of Nicola’s Fund, a charity set up by the parents of former Hammond School pupil Nicola Riley who passed away from a brain tumour five days before her 15th birthday in April 2005.

The charity, which pays for children battling cancer to enjoy a holiday with their family, was set up on Nicola’s instruction, using her savings after she said she was concerned that sick youngsters wouldn’t get to experience treats like she was able to.

More than 250 people attended the ball last weekend and enough money was raised to pay for a new caravan for families to visit at Black Rock Sands in Porthmadog.

Nicola Riley shortly before she died

It takes the total sum of money raised by the charity to almost £550,000 since it was first set up 10 years ago.

Nicola’s mum Debbie, who lives in Llay near Wrexham, said: “It was an emotional evening for both Steve and me because a lot of the people there on the evening have been with us, supporting Nicola’s Fund, since day one. Her friends, schoolteachers and others who knew her well and come back each time to remember her.

“It reminds us all that this is still very much about Nicola, she’s been the catalyst for it all, and she seems to be able to pull us all together in this way, all these years down the line.

“I think Nicola would have been overwhelmed by what has been achieved in this past decade but also very proud of us all. I think she would be having a good laugh about it and while the organisation of events like the ball can get stressful, she would be telling me and her dad to pull our socks up and get on with it,” she added.

The ball included a champagne reception, three-course meal, a diamond-necklace giveaway, an auction and dance performances by Hammond School pupils.

Touching speeches were also made by Nicola’s mum, her former headteacher at Merton House prep school Jim Watts and Nicola’s Fund beneficiary Anna Culshaw who talked about what the charity had done for her.

Wrexham-based Hadlow Edwards Wealth Management Ltd was the main sponsor of the event who said they were ‘full of admiration’ for what Nicola’s family have achieved with the chartity. For more information about Nicola’s Fund go HERE.