The White Lodge Centre have announced a “roaring twenties” theme for their annual fundraising charity ball this year, which is sure to be a fun-filled evening of fine food and drink, dancing and entertainment.

This year the event is promising to be bigger and better than ever before and everyone will be getting into the Roaring 20’s theme. For the women it was the era of the flapper dress, bobbed hair and co-ordinated accessories, while men took to sleeker slimmer fitting suits. The music world made way for the popularisation of genres like Jazz, Blues, Broadway and Dance Bands. The incredible energetic atmosphere of the twenties will all be replicated on the night.

Based in Chertsey, White Lodge Centre currently supports over 2,000 disabled children, young people and adults, their families and carers throughout Surrey and beyond.

White Lodge fundraiser, Claire Browne explains a bit more about the event:

“The May ball is the largest of our annual fundraising events This year it takes place on May 13th at Great Fosters Hotel in Egham, which is really stunning, and makes for a really special experience. Kicking off at 7pm with welcome drinks, the evening includes a three-course fine dining meal and live music and dancing, as well as entertainers. “It promises to be an action-packed evening with lots going on. We have a live auction, and in the past, some of the prizes have included flights to New York, sporting memorabilia, a racing car experience, and numerous event tickets. Then there’s also a silent auction and a raffle with some excellent prizes too.”

Fundraising is essential for the centre, as the running costs each year are in the region of £2.5 million. Each year there is a half a million shortfall which White Lodge Centre have to make up from fundraising and donations. Claire says “it’s certainly a challenge to come up with new ideas, but we aim to have an action packed calendar of events that everyone can enjoy!”

White Lodge Centre are always looking for help from the public: “there are lots of ways to get involved,” says Claire, “either by attending our Roaring 20s ball, making a donation, or volunteering at one of our fundraising events. We are also looking for raffle/auctions prize donations from local businesses/individuals, and can also offer corporate sponsorship opportunities for our Roaring 20s ball. Please get in touch if you can support the event in this way.

Based in Chertsey, White Lodge Centre was established over 50 years ago by a group of parents who had children with Cerebral Palsy and wanted somewhere for them to share activities and learning together. Today the centre caters for people of all ages, and with a range of disabilities, from physical conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, to learning difficulties such as Autism and Aspergers.

“The beauty of White Lodge is that we have services for all ages all in one location” explains Claire. White Lodge offers baby and toddler groups like ‘Little Stars’ which specialises in sensory activities. Their range of children’s services includes, physiotherapy, speech and language and occupational therapies. They also have a nursery for under-fives which caters for children with disabilities, as well as mainstream children too. “It’s really nice for the children to interact and learn from each other,” says Claire, “And we also have lovely grounds for the children to play.”

White Lodge also run a number of out of school programmes, including play schemes during Easter and Summer holidays and half term, which take place in various locations throughout the local community. They also run a Saturday club for teenagers to hang out and socialise together, and take part in activities such as going to the cinema and trips to London

Adults are also catered for in the “Rendezvous” building, which has a fully equipped cafe and gym as well as a range of therapies. They run a number of leisure and life skills groups which include creative art and ceramics, music groups, newsletter groups, ipad groups and discussion groups. A full list of services is on the website.

“It’s for all ages,” says Claire, “and that’s what we want to emphasise, that there’s something for everyone here. We have great facilities including a hydro pool, sensory rooms, art studio, kitchens and play areas. We also have a respite centre called “Treetops “where children can stay overnight to give the parents a break while the children can have fun playing out in the garden or watching a film or playing a video game in the chill out room.”

“People can come here every day, or once a month. You can access as much or as little as you like. It’s up to you, and we can work around what your interest and objectives are.”

Don’t miss out on the social event of the year and book you ticket now for the Roaring 20s Ball on Friday 13th May. Tickets are priced at £90 and if you book before the end of March you get 10% off. Tickets are available to book online at www.whitelodgecentre.co.uk, call 01932 567131 or email events@whitelodgecentre.co.uk.

For more info, click here.