A CHARITY ball where a unique Barnsley FC shirt was auctioned raised thousands for both Barnsley and Rotherham hospices.

The ball at Dodworth’s Holiday Inn saw 221 people attend, including both towns’ mayors and on the night a special prize – a signed shirt worn by Barnsley FC mascot Toby Tyke in 1997 when the Reds enjoyed their only stint in the Premier League – was auctioned off, helping organiser Claire Jasiok raise almost £8,000 for the two charities.

Local wedding dress sellers Cupid Connections then donated enough to bring the total to a round £8,000, allowing £4,000 to go to both hospices.

Claire said: “It was fabulous. Everything ran really smoothly and the two mayors said they enjoyed themselves. We had a piano player and stilt walkers come in as well – it was really good.”