More than 345 attendees turned out for the much-anticipated annual Sugar Cane Ball in aid of Hanover Charities held at the beautiful Round Hill Hotel & Villas in Hanover on Saturday, February 13, themed 'Fantasea Ball'.

The 59th staging, which sought to raise funds to support new and ongoing charity programmes across the parish, saw a 70 per cent turnout of international guests, who generously donated to top the $25 million raised last year.

"They love Jamaica and they trust us at Hanover Charities. They see what we do and where the money goes," said Katrin Casserly, the charity's co-chair for the past 10 years.

Casserly outlined that Hanover Charities is currently aiding at least 94 student scholarships in the parish and operating a soup kitchen that feeds no fewer than 600 persons weekly. Additionally, 10 schools are supported with a breakfast programme, computer lab equipment and book assistance, according to Casserly.

"We assist the infirmary in Lucea and we have the West Haven home for disabled children. As you know, Hanover is the second poorest parish in Jamaica, so there are a lot of needs and it's very important to give where you can," Casserly added.

Growing from strength to strength, the ball was this year complemented by a silent auction with one-of-a-kind items such as a statue and even tickets to spend the day with Jamaican-American reggae fusion singer and deejay Shaggy.

The charity also had a weeklong art exhibition at Round Hill Hotel curated by artist P.J. Stewart with 30 per cent of all sales donated.