Grantham charity ball in aid of Naomi Fund celebrates 21st year with boxing champions including John Conteh and The Voice winner Jermain Jackman
A charity ball was held in memory of a Grantham girl who died aged two-and-a-half.
In its 21st year, the Naomi Ball raised money for charity in memory of Naomi Fardell, and was described as “another fantastic night” by organisers, with £3,395 raised.
Naomi was born with congenital heart problems and she sadly died aged two-and-a-half.
Her parents, Dean and Michelle Fardell, have held a yearly ball for over two decades, with the latest hosted at Belton Woods Hotel on Saturday September.
The Naomi Fund raises money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, Heartlink children’s charity at Glenfield Hospital and the Kingfisher Children’s Unit and palliative care at Grantham Hospital.
Dean said: “It was another fantastic night. The 21st one, which is a milestone.
“We had John Conteh, the boxer, who came down. To capture him, he’s a proper boxing legend, an ex world champion.”
Entertainment on the night was delivered by Jermain Jackman, a previous winner of The Voice.
Dean continued: “[Jermain’s] got a really good career for himself.
“He’s absolutely brilliant. He was well worth every penny and got the crowd up dancing.”
Also in attendance were the returning Martin Power, a former British bantamweight champion boxer with 23 wins from 29 fights, and Peter Heymer, a light heavyweight who was champion of England.
Over 180 people attended this year’s event, with a raffle and auction helping to raise funds.
Dean added: “The whole night went extremely well. I can’t fault Belton Woods, the food was great.
“We’ve decided that we’re going to carry on next year and get a little bit of a team together, and hopefully get some good help from the people coming on board. The future’s bright.
“I want it to carry on because if it didn’t, and I know we have to stop at some point, but if I stopped it now it would be a big part of Naomi gone. We have the college nights as well, the ball, the bi-annual bike challenge which has raised £15,000 up to now.”
