MORE money than ever before has been raised for five Black Country charities from this year’s Mayor of Dudley’s Ball and Civic Awards.

The sell-out fundraising event raised a whopping £6.900 during the night of entertainment, food and prize-giving at the Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill last weekend.

A record number of 300 guests were also in attendance as the annual ball was combined with the civic awards for the first time ever.

The cash was generously donated by guests during the evening by bidding on items in an auction including a large flat screen TV, iPad and mountain bike, as well as a tombola with over 100 prizes, a sit-down stand-up bingo and a raffle.

A multitude of prizes and items which were given out during the evening had all been donated from companies and individuals across the borough.

Councillor Steve Waltho, Mayor of Dudley, said: “I am overwhelmed by the generosity of both the people who put their hands in their pockets on the night and the organisations and individuals who donated all of the prizes.

“I would like to say a huge thank you on behalf of my chosen charities to everyone who has contributed, making a huge amount of money – doubling last year’s total.”

The mayor’s five supported charities are The Hope Centre, The What? Centre, More Mascots Please, Leukaemia Unit Appeal Fund, at Russells Hall and The West Midlands Lupus Group.