Local Cancer Charity Raises £52,500 at Inaugural Masquerade Gala

Local Cancer Charity Raises £52,500 for New Hospital-based Cancer Support Centres at Inaugural Masquerade Gala Ball

A whopping £52,500 has been raised for Cancer Focus NI at a Phantom of the Opera inspired gala dinner held at Titanic Belfast on Friday 15 May 2026. The charity event, in partnership with Pinnacle and kindly supported by Sapphire Capital Partners and Northstone Materials, brought together over 300 people from across Northern Ireland’s business community for a night of entertainment, auctions, and good food - all for a great cause.

The charity’s projected fundraising target from the night was surpassed thanks to a number of generous anonymous gifts. In addition to the £52,500 total raised on the night, the charity received a substantial donation from The Kate Lagan NI Foundation.

The sold-out event was organised to coincide with the announcement of the charity’s exciting plans to open two hospital-based Cancer Support Centres, with in-house specialist Cancer Nurses, in Belfast and Derry-Londonderry over the coming years. The evening, hosted by CoolFM Radio Presenter and charity ambassador, Rebecca McKinney, delivered a special musical performance by Peter Corry Productions alongside Cancer Focus NI’s very own Sing for Life cancer support choir. Auction and raffle prizes on the night included a Conor Bradley Liverpool framed and signed match top plus two match tickets, a Baronscourt Estate 3-Night stay at the Governors Lodge, and a VIP King’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour).

Cancer Focus NI Chief Executive, Richard Spratt said:

“The evening was the perfect setting in which to announce the next steps in our charity’s vision. Learning and growing from the opening of our very first Cancer Support Centre in Fermanagh just 12 months ago, I was delighted to announce Cancer Focus NI’s plans to open two Support Centres in the heart of acute clinical cancer care. These sanctuaries will be truly transformational and a first of their kind for Northern Ireland and I thank every person and business who made the night such a highlight for our charity.”

In what will be a multi-million-pound investment, the charity has learned from international best practice and have connected with an organisation, Maggie’s, who have developed 30 hospital-based support centres throughout the UK and internationally, and are supporting with their expertise and experience.

Speaking about the night and why they have chosen to support the charity’s future direction of travel James Mitchell, Sales Director at Pinnacle, said:

“Pinnacle is incredibly proud to support Cancer Focus NI and the inspiring vision they have for the future of cancer care across Northern Ireland. The announcement of these new hospital-based Cancer Support Centres represents a transformative step forward for patients and families at some of the most challenging times in their lives. The Gala Ball was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when the business community comes together behind a cause that touches so many people. We are honoured to play a part in helping make these vital support spaces a reality.”

Sharing their family’s heartbreaking cancer story on the night, Charlotte Nicholas who has benefited from the charity’s services and recently visited the Fermanagh Cancer Support Centre said:

“When my husband, Gavin, was diagnosed and we were told the outcome wasn’t going to be good, everything went into slow motion and my world just crumbled. It wasn’t until hours, or even days later, that I was able to process some of the information. However, after visiting the charity’s Centre and meeting the team of Nurses and specialist staff, all I can think is wow, imagine if we’d had that resource. When I entered the Centre, I immediately felt calmer. The design, decoration, and greenery just created a sanctuary. This is all just a feeling you long for immediately after being told that your husband is going to die and your world will change forever.”

The charity has now launched a Hospital-Based Cancer Support Centres Capital Appeal with funds raised going directly to support the building, refurbishment and operation of their planned Centres in Belfast and Derry-Londonderry with more details to follow in due course. The charity is now calling on local funders, philanthropists, and businesses to join them to help transform and build the future of local cancer care and support across Northern Ireland. You can learn more, get involved, or access the charity’s cancer support services at www.cancerfocusni.org