I ended a long year of organising when I handed over a cheque to the Pink Dolphin Appeal in aid of the new breast cancer unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton for £5,099.21p following a charity ball that I organised at the Hilton West Pier Hotel, Brighton, on May 1.

When 170 guests turned up to enjoy an evening of dinner and dance, I looked around and thought it was a little scary. What if everything I had been planning for the past year went wrong?

I need not have worried. Certain individuals were there to make sure everything went smoothly.

I would like to say a few personal thank yous to these special people.

My mum Babs, my dad Mike, my sister Jo, my brother in law Mark, my mum in law Margaret, my dad in law John, my niece Sam and my nephew Darrell.

They helped me set up during the day, collected raffle and auction items, checked tickets, ran the raffle, took money for the auction, walked around with buckets and generally helped me host the entire evening.

Without them and their hard work not as much money would have been made. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You are truly a very special family.

A thank you also to Chris Copsey from Southern FM who gave us such great support and hosted the auction. We raised £2,200 from that alone. You couldn't wish to meet a warmer person.

The young man who was helping Chris with the auction was in fact my very special hubby Mark.

He works long hours but still managed to help me with more things to do with this ball than I could mention. He was the brains behind my idea that made it all run smoothly.

We have been together since I was 14 and he is truly a very special and wonderful husband to me and daddy to our precious son Thomas.

Last of all, I would love to thank all the sponsors and the 170 guests at the ball as without them we would not have this money to hand over. They all came ready to donate money and to have a great time.

The Pink Dolphin appeal needs £1.5 million for the specialist equipment needed for the new breast cancer centre. I loved arranging the ball and I am proud that in a small way I have helped.

I will continue to do my little bit each year until this special unit is open and providing vital help, screening and wonderful support as none of us knows when we or someone we love deeply may need it.

-Debbie Exley, deb.exley@virgin.net