MORE than 350 family and friends of Charlie Nicell, a well-known local figure who died from cancer, helped raise £8,000 for charity.

Charlie's Ball, a black-tie event held at The Colosseum earlier this month, raised money for children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

Helen Nicell organised the charity ball, in memory of her late husband Charlie, who died in September 2004.

Charlie had been a supporter of CLIC Sargent and, in 2000, climbed the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales to raise funds for the charity.

Charlie was born in Watford in 1958, and was a lifelong Watford Football Club supporter. He worked as an estate agent and financial adviser in the Watford area. He met Helen in June 1976, and the couple married in June 1982.

Helen chose last weekend as the date to hold the ball, as it marked 30 years since they first met. They had two sons, Edward, 21 and Joseph, 18.

The family home is in Orchard Close, Cassiobury, Watford.

Helen said: "Charlie loved children and was always keen to raise money for chidlren's charities.

"It seemed ironic that he had completed the Three Peaks challenge to help families affected by cancer, and then he himself was diagnosed. Therefore, it was an obvious choice to support CLIC Sargent again.

" Charlie was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, NK Cell Lymphoma, in July 2004, and only managed one course of chemotherapy before he died in September 2004. He was 45.

Helen said: "It has been difficult for us, as a family, coming to terms with the loss of Charlie, and so we wanted to help other families who are going through the painful process of treatment, and help in any way we could. Charlie was a very sociable person, so a black-tie ball was a fitting tribute to him."

Charlie's Ball was a black-tie event which included games, a raffle and an auction. The entertainment was provided by band Soulfish, fronted by local singer Ryan Chandler, who appeared on TV's X Factor last autumn. Ticket sales for the night raised £3,000, the auction raised £2,800 and the raffle raised another £2,400.

Helen said: "We are thrilled with the amount raised, and are very grateful for all the kind donations sent from people who couldn't attend, and the generosity of those who came and dug deep into their pockets for all the fundraising on the evening.

"We produced a programme for the event, which was well supported by local businesses, and we were astounded at some of the prizes donated from the commercial sector. So a very big thank you for making the event such a success."

If you knew Charlie, or have been affected by cancer, and would like to make a donation, please send cheques payable to Charlie's Ball c/o Helen Nicell, 25 Orchard Close, Watford, Herts WD17. 3DU. For more information on the work of CLIC Sargent or to make a donation, visit www.clicsargent.org.uk or telephone 0800 197 0068.