A DEDICATED Stourport fundraiser who organised a charity ball in memory of her beloved aunt is celebrating after scooping a prestigious award.

Hayley Jordan was named Volunteer of the Year at the Wonderful Worcestershire Woman awards, while also coming third in the Significant Achievement category.

She was rewarded after her event, Joanne’s Glitz & Glamour Ball held in October last year, saw her raise an impressive £9,239 for the Mind mental health charity, Midlands Air Ambulance and the RSPCA Birmingham Animal Hospital.

Hayley’s aunt Joanne Yates took her own life on December 27 2014 while suffering from depression.

But she turned this tragedy into a positive to her and her family by arranging the glamorous evening, which included a meal, magician, a balloon raffle, auction, photo booth and live band.

She was later invited to the Air Ambulance air base to meet the crew and invited for a tour of the Animal Hospital, where she got to name a rescue cat which she named her Joanne after her auntie.

For the awards, the public cast their votes online for her to go through to the next round, where she had to do a presentation in front of a panel of judges.

Of her presentation, she said: "This was an amazing yet emotional and heart felt experience for me, as I was talking about something so personal."

Hayley was joined by her mum, nan, sister and aunt at the awards ceremony on Friday, April 29.

She said: "I haven't stopped smiling since I won. I never set out for any recognition for my charity work, as I did it all from my heart for Joanne, however these awards mean the world to me.

“These awards are not only for me, but for what my lovely family have overcome, also for all the people who supported us and bought a ticket to 'Joanne's Glitz & Glamour Ball' and for Joanne, as she genuinely was a Wonderful Worcestershire Woman.

"Joanne's life deserves to be remembered and celebrated. And continued awareness needs to be raised around the taboo subject of suicide and mental health."

Hayley has organised another charity event, the Glitz & Glamour Races – an Ascot themed race night at the Mercure Hotel, Kidderminster, on Saturday October 22.

The evening will include races, a two course sit down meal, photo booth and a live band and is raising money for the same three charities.

Tickets are on sale now for £32.50 and anyone interested can contact Hayley on hayley_beddard@yahoo.co.uk for further details.

She added: "I am so excited at what this year's event will bring."