CancerCare’s Ball on the Lake held on Friday 6th March 2026 at The Low Wood Bay Spa & Hotel raised an incredible £31,233!
More than 160 guests arrived in their finery just as the sun set over Lake Windermere. The fun began during the welcome drinks reception, when guests were challenged to find 500 mini ducks hidden around the venue’s function suite. Prizes were awarded to the person who found the special duck and to the guest who collected the most ducks.
Local event styling company, Mr & Mrs Jones, dressed the room perfectly, adorning the layout with trees as centrepieces and magical lighting, championing the Lake District theme.
In keeping with the Ball on the Lake theme, a ‘hook-a-duck’ game took centre stage on the dance floor. Guests could win mystery box prizes, including a £100 voucher for Gilpin Spice, kindly donated by Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, and a bottle of champagne.
Event host Ian Milburn of IM Events welcomed guests before introducing Andrew Birchall (Chair of Trustees) and Alison Stainthorpe (CEO) to the stage to share a hard-hitting and honest overview of the challenges currently facing CancerCare. Alison also thanked the event’s headline sponsor, Hadwins Motor Group, who shared a short video with guests.
Following a three-course meal, the silent auction got underway. Prizes included signed sports memorabilia, use of a Range Rover for the weekend courtesy of Kentdale Land Rover, VIP tickets to the Co-op Live Arena for a concert of the winner’s choice (donated by FGH Security), a £500 voucher for men’s luxury clothing brand Mr Porter, and a sterling silver necklace courtesy of H Hogarth, Kendal.
Local party band The Seals then took to the stage to round off the evening. Lauren Hall Photo and Video was the event’s official photographer.
Claire Mason, CancerCare’s Head of Fundraising and Marketing, said: “We had the most incredible evening celebrating CancerCare. Our aim was to create an elegant, fun and fabulous event, and the Ball on the Lake delivered just that. Everyone got involved with the games – guests were scooping ducks into pockets and handbags, and later in the evening some even sat on other guests’ shoulders to reach those hidden high up.
“The service and staff at the Low Wood were fantastic. We are also incredibly grateful to our headline sponsor, Hadwins Motor Group, and to Stramongate Press for supporting us with the printing costs.
“The party really got going when local band The Seals came on – the dance floor stayed full until the end of the night.
“Times are challenging for CancerCare and for the charity sector in general. It costs over £2m each year for us to deliver our services to people affected by cancer, and flagship events like our Ball are essential to helping us continue that work. Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket and supported the event, helping to make it such a memorable evening.”