GOOD causes across the town are being invited to apply to become beneficiaries of next year’s Charity Ball.

The annual event, which is organised by the Rotary Club of Swindon, the Adver and the Marriott Hotel, is looking for charities and good causes to give money to.

This year’s event raised about £20,000, and the funds were distributed to all seven beneficiaries on Tuesday.

Tim Hanley, chairman of the Charity Ball committee, said: “The ball is all for local charities and people really get behind it.

“We are pleased with the amount raised. Handing the cheques over is a brilliant feeling. We have had some lovely comments back.

“We are hoping for at least the same amount next year. “We can’t let on what the entertainment is but it is going to be good again.”

This year’s event raised £8,000 for Swindon Carers Centre, £4,000 for Swindon Women’s Aid, £5,550 for CALM, £1,200 for The Fluency Trust, £600 for Toothill Junior Youth Club, £532.24 for Phoenix Toy Library, and £500 for Ridgeway Breast Care Support Group.

Olwen Kelly, director of Swindon Women’s Aid, said: “This money will make an awful lot of difference. It will go to directly help women and children living within the refuge that come to us with nothing whatsoever.

“We feel extremely privileged to have been nominated as a chosen charity because it is from the kindness and support of organisations such as the Charity Ball that make such a difference to frontline service like our own.”

Swindon Women’s Aid will use the money for an outdoor play area for the children they help.

Richard Crowley, chairman of CALM, said it would be using its donation to fund holidays for children who are undergoing treatment and their families.

“We have got two caravans, one in South Wales and one in Weymouth. To run them costs thousands of pounds,” he said.

“It is one of those ongoing projects that is incredibly expensive to do but the families get so much from it.

“It is great to be able to give families a holiday when they are having a difficult time. “It gives them a nice time in between trips to the hospital. The donation of £5,500 is fantastic.”

Fundraising at this year’s event included an auction, a silent auction and a draw for a diamond ring donated by Deacons.

The ring was part of a draw, called Doreen’s Diamond Draw, in memory of community stalwart and former Charity Ball committee member Doreen Dart, who died of lung cancer last year aged 84.

To apply to be a beneficiary of this year’s event, download this form - 2014 Beneficiary Application Form.pdf.

You can also get a form by emailing http://enquiries@swindoncharityball.co.uk or by phoning Sue Harding on 01793 813147.

Completed forms should be returned to Sue Harding, secretary of the Charity Ball committee, at enquiries@swindoncharityball.co.uk or by post to 23 Edgar Row Close, Wroughton, Nr Swindon SN4 9LR.

The closing date for all submitted applications is October 31, 2013.