A GLITZY ball in memory of a popular Furness Rugby player who died from leukaemia aged 30 has raised £6,500 for charity.

On Saturday October 1 at Abbey House hotel in Barrow, friends and family came together to celebrate the life of Lee White who died in April earlier this year after contracting pneumonia following a three-year cancer battle.

The event was organised by Mr White's partner Kim Murray, 31, and his mother Gill Ray who had hoped to raise £2,000 from the glamorous bash. Photographs were taken by budding professional snapper Becky Lauren whose website is HERE

READ MORE: Tributes paid to brave Barrow rugby player, 30, who died after long cancer battle

However, after 175 people came to show their support they ended up smashing their fundraising target by amassing more than £6,000 which will be split between Delete Blood Cancer and St Mary's Hospice.

Mrs Ray said: "It's been amazing and I am extremely grateful for everyone who came. It was lovely to see so many people wanting to remember Lee which is testament to who he was as a person. It's been up and down - some days are worse than others but it's helped us as a family by having this to focus on."

Members of the St Mary's Hospice at Home team also attended the gala and were praised by Miss Murray for allowing her partner, who "hated hospitals", to spend his final few hours at home surrounded by his family.

She said: "When we were told the devastating news that Lee's leukaemia had relapsed and that he was unlikely to recover from his infection, the most important thing to Lee was that he could come home.

"The Hospice at Home nurses made sure Lee had everything he needed at home to make things as comfortable as possible for him. They held everything together when we couldn’t and they were not only there for Lee but they supported all the family through the most unimaginable time."

After the success of the event in honour of Mr White, who worked for Dong Energy, the family have decided to host the fashionable fundraiser again next year.

READ MORE: Fundraiser for Barrow rugby star who died after cancer battle

Mrs Ray added: "Lee loved having all of his family and friends together and he would have thrived in this setting on Saturday night."

Representatives from Delete Blood Cancer also managed to sign up 14 people to their bone marrow register on the night which helped people like Mr White enjoy extra precious months and sometimes years with their friends and families.

If you would like to sign up you can do so by visiting their website here.