THE Lakeland Charity Ball takes place at The Castle Green in Kendal tomorrow (Saturday) and is aiming to smash its previous fund-raising efforts by raising £10,000 for CancerCare South Lakes. The bi-annual ball raised £5,000 last time but the generosity of local businesses this year in terms of sponsorship and raffle prizes has led to more ambitious targets from the organisers. The main sponsors of the event are Lakeland Ltd and Kentdale Landrover and the Castle Green Hotel has made a major donation through discounting the costs of the ball and offering weekend break raffle prizes at its new sister hotel, the Princess in Portland, in Manchester. The evening is a sell-out with 240 guests set to enjoy pre-dinner drinks, music from Sedbergh School, fundraising events and dancing. All the money raised from this event will remain in the local community.

n A CONCERT in aid of New Holehird takes place tomorrow (Saturday), featuring a group who perform a special type of English music called West Gallery. The Gladly Solemn Sound was formed in 1992 to explore West Gallery music, and has been singing ever since at concerts, festivals and weddings. The repertoire contains music from north Lancashire manuscript collections, and also pieces related in style or period from 18th Century America and Russia, as well as recently composed music in a West Gallery' style. West Gallery Music was a phenomenon peculiar to England, growing from religious, political and social upheaval during the 16th, 17th and 18th Centuries. The concert takes place at St Mary's Church, in Windermere, at 7.30pm. New Holehird is a charity trying to keep open Windermere's closure-threatened home for disabled people.

n JUST short of 100 people signed on the NHS Organ Donor Register at three business displays organised by The Gift of Life charity. Mike Waters, chief executive of the Milnthorpe-based Gift of Life Commemorative Trust, said: "Six thousand people are waiting for a transplant and many will die waiting. However, the more people we can get on the register, the more likely lives will be saved." A prize draw of a £100 food hamper donated by Lake District Hampers.co.uk was won by Mr B. Lindsay, of Kendal. For more information on to how to register on the NHS Organ Donor Register, visit the web site at www.gift-of-life.org.uk n A LOCAL nursing assistant moved by the recent tragedy in a Russia school has raised funds to aid their appeal. Keith Sandham, from Westmorland General Hospital, in Kendal, raised more than £180 and will send the money to the children and families affected by the terrorist attack in Beslan. Work colleagues praised Mr Sandham, who managed to raise the funds in under three hours by collecting donations from staff at the hospital. He was overjoyed by the amount of money people had been willing to give.

n LEVENS NSPCC Committee is holding an antiques evening on Friday, October 15, at The Heaves Hotel, Levens. The event is to be attended by Henry Bowring, of Sotheby's, and tickets are priced at £10. This includes a buffet supper and a valuation of one item. Additional valuations are £1 each. Guests are asked to arrive at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Tickets are available from Mrs Routledge on 015395-60640.

n A FUN quiz in aid of breast cancer will be held at Ulverston Sports Club on Monday, October 11, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5 and there will be a licensed bar, a pie-and-peas supper and a raffle. The quiz is organised by Soroptimist International of Ulverston. For more information telephone Val Miller on 01229-586987.

n SLIMMERS weighed in with a whopping £366.25 for Macmillan Cancer Relief by taking part in the World's Biggest Coffee Morning last Friday. Members who regularly lose pounds by attending Weight Watchers meetings in Kendal, Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth and Milnthorpe gained more than £300 instead for the charity.

n CARNFORTH police dance raised £316.75 for the families of the victims of the Tebay rail crash. The dance was held on September 17 and around 110 people went to the County Hotel in a resurrection of what used to be a regular event. Organisers intend to make the dance annual.

n BLOOD donor sessions will be held at Victoria Hall, Council Offices, Grange-over-Sands on Wednesday, October 6, at 2pm4pm and 5.30pm7.30pm. They are also taking place on Thursday, October 7, at The Marchesi Centre, Holly Road, Windermere at 2pm4pm and 5.30pm7.30pm.