A Melbourn woman who set herself the challenge of raising £40,000 for Cancer Research UK by the time she turned 40 is throwing a gala ball to help her push towards her goal.

Royston Crow: Jo at a previous fundraiser.Jo at a previous fundraiser. (Image: Archant)

A Melbourn woman who set herself the challenge of raising £40,000 for Cancer Research UK by the time she turned 40 is throwing a gala ball to help her push towards her goal.

Jo Sell is 10 months and £8,000 off the target she set 11 years ago, after seeing a friend go through the pain of losing her mum to cancer.

She said: “One of my best friends lost her mum, and that was first experience to have someone go through that – it was awful.

“Unfortunately since then I’ve lost so many people. It took my wonderful grandad, who fought in the Second World War but was defeated by a tumour.

“It’s taken close friends, work colleagues – it even took my beautiful dog. Cancer doesn’t care, it is relentless and brutal.

“I see so many people who are affected every day through my work with doctors and scientists at a pharmaceutical company.

“Cancer takes people we love. It makes people we love ill. It strips them of moments and memories they should be cherishing instead of trying to fight for their life. It leaves young children without parents. It leaves soulmates without their other half. It is brutal in its existence and it absolutely has to be eradicated.”

Over the years, Jo has thrown various events, including other balls, and ran the Race for Life – and she said she always gets great support.

“People are amazing, and I think that’s unfortunately because it affects so many of us,” she said. “I’m really lucky I’ve got family and friends who are supportive, because you make the money through people who support you – and now I need local support for this local event.”

Jo has around 80 tickets to sell for the evening on May 5 at Antsey Hall in Trumpington – 10 years to the day since her last big gala ball.

And she has an impressive line-up of entertainment, with Britain’s Got Talent champion magician Lance-Corporal Richard Jones giving a performance, and West End performers from Motown, Kinky Boots and Jersey Boys are also set to wow the crowd.

Tickets are £35 and also include a drinks reception, raffle entry, live band, and auction. To book email theglitterball@dreamtimeshows.com or call Jo on 07841 978 442

To find out more have a look at theglitterballblog.wordpress.com