Funeral directors raise thousands for charity

Forever Together Funeral Directors, based in Charlotte Street, Portsmouth, held a ball last week with all proceeds going towards mental health charity, Mind.

Over 200 people attended the ball at the Pyramids Centre in Southsea, which was kindly donated to the event for the night.

The black-tie event included a performance from Dexi Dance Academy, a presentation about the charity, a heartfelt performance from Jordan Duke and a photo booth. There was also a DJ and jazz band present.

The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Lee Mason, attended the event and gave a touching speech regarding his experiences with mental health.

Companies across Portsmouth donated goods for the raffle including a flat screen TV, a paid hotel stay and West End show and two cash prizes of £250.

Denise Chapman, director of Forever Together, said: '˜We had the idea to organise this event in May after noticing how many people come in who have been affected by mental health issues.'

Ian Grant, another of the funeral directors, added: '˜We want to give back to the community.'

Denise attributed much of the event's success to fellow funeral director, Ben Ferguson and other members of staff Bobbi Harvey and Elkie Pilkington.

She said: '˜I only had the original idea '“ Ben, Bobbi and Elkie put all the work in to make sure the ball was a massive success.'

Mind provides professional counselling for sufferers across the country in more than 130 location, with estimates that one in five people are now affected by mental health issues.

For more information about the work the charity does, people can go to mind.org.uk.