A Brighton charity raised £75,000 at its annual ball.
Rockinghorse, the charity for sick children and their carers, raised the money at its Circus Ball at the Hilton Brighton Metropole.
He event was hosted by TV presenter Marcella Whittingdale and attended by more than 400 guests.
The £75,000 means that the charity can now provide five Rockinghorse communication aids for young people who have difficulties communicating or who are not able to speak.
These will be donated to respite centres across Sussex and Surrey.
Tina Reynolds, the mother of disabled twins, made a powerful speech about how the communication aids had made an enormous impact on her sons’ lives.
The evening ended with performances by live band The Hot Rox, a DJ set by James Whiltshire from the Freemasons and “all the fun of the fair”.
The circus theme brought dodgems, a coconut shy and a fortune teller to the Metropole.
Marcella Whittingdale said: “What a fantastic night.
“Everyone has been so generous and it will really make a difference to local children with illnesses or disabilities.
“And the dodgems are always great fun!”
The evening was sponsored by Hove-based financial advisers Skerritts Consultants.
Allie Preiss, Rockinghorse marketing and events manager, said: “We’re so grateful to everyone for coming along and supporting the charity and to all the companies and individuals who made the event possible, especially our wonderful sponsors, Skerritts.”
