A moving night at Forget Me Not’s Moonlight Ball in Leeds raises £73,000
Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice’s Moonlight Ball, held at Hazlewood Castle in Leeds, raised £73,159 to support the charity in an evening focussed on its vital work with families devastated by the sudden and unexpected death of their child.
The charity’s many supporters from Yorkshire’s business community joined staff and volunteers for a special evening of community, fine dining, entertainment and fundraising, hosted by former BBC Radio Leeds breakfast presenter Andrew Edwards.
Guests were welcomed by Jo Ellis, one of Forget Me Not’s trustees, and heard from the charity’s CEO Gareth Pierce and Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, Sir John Robins QPM DL about the charity’s pioneering work with families following the sudden and unexpected death of their child.
In a moving speech Ruth Grierson, from Rastrick, described how the charity held and cared for her son Henry and his family after he took his own life in April 2024, aged 17.
Ruth said: “We were given something priceless. Time. Time to sit. Time to talk. Time for his siblings to come. Time to begin saying goodbye in a way that felt human.
"Grief that begins in chaos can fracture a family. Grief that begins in dignity can hold a family together.
"Those hours did not remove the pain. But they changed its shape. Instead of our final memories being fluorescent light and urgency, they became warmth and stillness.”
Inspired by Ruth’s testimony, guests at the ball bid on auction items donated by local businesses and supporters including a seven-night stay in Barbados for up to nine couples, VIP Porsche Carrera Cup GB 2026 Hospitality tickets and overnight stays at Woodsome Hall and Hodroyd Hall.
Vicky Lough, event manager at Forget Me Not, said: “It was an honour for us all to hear from Ruth the difference that our dedicated team made to her family at such a difficult time.
"We’re so grateful that she brought Henry’s story into the room tonight, a heartfelt reminder of the impact of the generous donations from our many supporters across West Yorkshire and beyond."
She added: "A huge thank you also to our headline sponsor Boutique Whitening, our AV sponsor Ayre Events, our entertainment sponsor Polyseam, our reception sponsor RoadtaxMe, our programme sponsor Pinnacle Group and our drinks for tables sponsor Continental Wine & Food and to The Equinox Group for the media wall.
"Many thanks to all our guests for their generosity and support and to all the businesses who donated prizes, to our lovely volunteers and everyone at Hazlewood Castle who helped make sure our first Moonlight Ball will live long in the memory.”