AN ALLOA-BASED charity was “immensely grateful” after a duo donated thousands of pounds to the good cause.

Good friends Julie Louden and Lynn Findlay last month organised a successful fundraising ball, which netted cash for both locally founded Scottish Autism and Larbert’s Maggie’s Forth Valley.

The duo’s Let’s Have a Ball event at Airth Castle in May was organised for the second time, having launched in 2018, and attracted around 200 guests, raising an incredible £13,000.

The cash was splint evenly between the two charities, each receiving £6,500.

Karen Wilson, fundraising manager at Scottish Autism, said: “We are immensely grateful to Julie and Lynn and to everyone involved, for all their hard work in organising ‘Let’s Have a Ball’ to help raise money for Scottish Autism.

“This kind donation will help Scottish Autism to reach more autistic people and their families across Scotland.”

Lynn’s eldest son was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in 2009 so it is a cause close to her heart.

And Maggie’s Forth Valley, a cancer support centre based on the grounds of the hospital at Larbert, was also a place the two organisers could relate to as they both lost their mothers-in-law to cancer.

Cristina Pouso, fundraising manager at Maggie’s Forth Valley, added: “Maggie’s gives essential emotional and practical support to anyone affected by cancer.

“We rely on voluntary donations and so it’s always great to hear that people in our local community are raising funds for our centre.

“The Let’s have a Ball event has been a great way to raise awareness and essential funds and as a beneficiary of the event these last few years we have received a total of £9,500 from Let’s have a Ball which is a fantastic amount and will go a long way in helping us continue our free programme of support for those affected by cancer in our community.”