Herts Air Ambulance hosted its annual Charity Ball at Sopwell House, St Albans to raise all important funds for the County’s life-saving helicopter.</>

This year’s ball had a Carnival theme and transformed Sopwell House with palm trees, limbo dancers, reggae band and so much more! This fabulous night of Rio Carnival fun was a huge success, raising over £6,300 for the charity.

The evening, brimming with colourful ‘Mardi Gras’ atmosphere got underway with a cocktail drinks reception, sponsored by Medical Aviation Services (Operators of Herts Air Ambulance) where guests were greeted on arrival by a Caribbean themed ‘living’ table.

Following a superb three course meal guests were treated to some carnival style entertainment from Kiniki, a fire limbo dancer who amazed everyone with his performance also involving some audience participation.

Plus, there was an exclusive charity raffle and auction on the night with the prize of an Aerobatic flight in a Jet Provost (kindly donated by Weald Aviation) receiving the highest bid of £850! The night ended with dancing until 12:30am with Reggae band, Triple X.

Jane Gurney, Executive Director of Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust said: “We are thrilled that the evening was such a great success raising a staggering amount for the County’s life-saving Air Ambulance.

"Everyone had a great time and the entertainment from Kiniki and Triple X was fantastic! Our team at Herts Air Ambulance and staff at Sopwell House really got into the Carnival theme with Rio style dresses and colourful flower leis whilst guests from TPS Visual Communications wore colourful carnival masks."

Nikki Caborn of Herts Air Ambulance added: “I would like to thank everyone who has made this event possible including Sopwell House for supplying the venue, Medical Aviaition Services for sponsoring the cocktail drinks reception, everyone who donated raffle prizes and auction items, councillor Stan Bull, Chairman of East Herts District Council for drawing the raffle and of course the 100 guests who attended the evening and making the ball such a great success.”