BELLS Piece Leonard Cheshire Disability service will host its first ever gala dinner at Farnham Castle this September to mark what would have been the 100th birthday of the charity’s charismatic founder.

Volunteers are keen to share the Friday, September 29, event with the wider community, who will enjoy a sparkling reception in the Lantern Hall with live entertainment, a three-course dinner in the Great Hall and a grand auction to raise much-needed funds for the Hale Road service.

The gala dinner will not only celebrate what has been achieved in the last 36 years at Bells Piece, but also Leonard Cheshire in what would have been his centenary year.

To kick off the promotion of the event and raise awareness of what Bells Piece provides, a banner has been erected in The Borough in Farnham and staff and volunteers from Bells Piece will be in Lion and Lamb Yard on Saturday, July 29, to sell tickets and answer questions.

One such volunteer will be Karenne Watkins who, through one of her own children becoming very poorly many years ago, has seen the added value that a service like Bells Piece can offer.

Embracing the ethos of Leonard Cheshire, many Bells Piece residents and service users receive education which results in various accolades for the individuals which include, cooking, horticulture and art skills.   

Robert Hambrook, Bells Piece service manager, said: “The gala dinner will be a spectacular event, the team of supporters have worked extremely hard in pulling this together to ensure the event is a roaring success.

“Bells Piece totally relies on our volunteers to ensure we raise funds to support our residents and service users to live their lives as they choose.”

Tickets can be purchased for £60 each from Davina Scott or Jenny Daniels by calling 01252 715138 or drop an email to [email protected]/[email protected].

All funds raised will support the development of the activities and support that is provided to people at Bells Piece.