The Benjamin Ball will take place on Saturday 24th November at Glenfall House in Charlton Kings, to raise money for CLIC and the Emily Kent Unit, Gloucester.

Benjamin Smith is four. He is the son of The Cotswold School design and technology teacher, Matt Smith, and English teacher, Suzanne Smith. Doctors diagnosed Benjamin, at the age of three, with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) - a blood cancer.

Along with their lifelong friends, Kelly and David Reed, the Smiths have organised The Benjamin Ball to raise further funds for CLIC and The Emily Kent Unit, which is based at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

The family has already raised £12,000 raised over the last twelve months - £8,000 to Macmillan Cancer Trust and £4,000 to CLIC and The Emily Kent Unit.

TV star, Chris Hughes of Love Island, is a former Cotswold School pupil and will be at the event.

Tickets to The Benjamin Ball have sold out, but as part of the event there will be an online blind auction and high-end tombola, to raise further funds for the two charities.

Matt said: "Many businesses from Gloucestershire and further afield have been so generous in donating some wonderful prizes. In fact, we have over 100 prizes!"

Prizes include:

• Sibling Gin - tour of the factory and bottomless glass for twenty people
• Dunkerton's Cider - tour of the facility and 12 bottles of cider
• Lords of the Manor - dinner, bed & breakfast
• Aston Martin - VIP tour for four people with lunch
• A contemporary sofa worth £2,500
• Sam Twiston Davies has donated signed breeches by jockeys on the circuit
• A meet & greet with Chris Hughes from Love Island
• Jade Holland Cooper has donated one of the luxury British Lifestyle Brands signature look

Matt said: "Ticket sales have raised over £2,000, and we hope the blind auction, live auction and high-end tombola will make some significant further monies towards these two fantastic charities. We've been overwhelmed with the generosity of individuals and businesses - we cannot thank them enough."

Benjamin, initially treated at Bristol Children Hospital for the first two weeks, transferred to his home hospital, Gloucesterhire Royal. It is here, at The Emily Kent Unit, that Benjamin, along with many other children, is receiving his current treatment including many chemotherapies. His treatment is not due to finish until 26th September 2020.

Matt said: "All of the staff, including the nurses, doctors and play specialists, are supporting us through this journey which makes it a little bit more bearable. It has been so tough for us as parents, but also for Benjamin's big sister Emilia, age seven, who has found it painful watching her little brother go through his treatment.

"The staff have played an incredible role. Due to Benjamin's weakened immunity, many of the 'healthy and normal' activities such as swimming and soft play, Ben has been unable to enjoy. However, CLIC has provided tailored events for Benjamin and other Gloucestershire patients to make life as normal as possible."

It is for this reason, and to give something back to these two amazing charities, that the family has organised The Benjamin Ball.

To leave a bid for any of the items, please e-mail thebenjaminball@gmail.com .