A charity ball is on track to be held in Chippenham next year, thanks to a generous anonymous donation.

Peter and Wendy Claridge, who run Monkton Park Golf Course, were astonished to receive a cash donation in aid of the charity ball they had dreamed of organising.

The ball is being held in aid of cystic fybrosis charities and the St Nicholas School appeal for a hydrotherapy pool.

Mrs Claridge, 40, said: “The idea started when I was organising my daughters’ proms – two of them had proms this year. I decided it was my turn to dress up and have a ball because we didn’t have proms in my day.”

She discussed the idea with friends but put it off because they could not afford it.

She said: “Then last week I received this padded brown envelope with a typed note saying ‘please put this towards your charity ball, I think you are both wonderful people and this is a wonderful thing for charity’.”

Neither the envelope nor letter bore any clue as to the sender. “We are so grateful,” Mrs Claridge said. “We would like to say a huge thank you to whoever it was.”

The couple have used the money to provisionally book the Neeld Hall for July 2, 2011, and will put the rest towards a band and catering.

They are still appealing for sponsors and for raffle prizes.

Mrs Claridge said: “Cystic fibrosis charities are close to our hearts because my husband lost a brother 40 years ago and we wanted to keep some money local with SNAP.”

To help,call Mr or Mrs Claridge on (01249) 653928.