TOMORROW night will see the cream of the county's society gather for the prestigious Ipswich and Suffolk Press Ball.

By JAMES MARSTON

james.marston@eveningstar.co.uk>

TOMORROW night will see the cream of the county's society gather for the prestigious Ipswich and Suffolk Press Ball.

And as the final preparations are made for the “night of nights” organisers today received a massive boost to the fundraising efforts of the dazzling event.

Suffolk New College has donated a fantastic �1,500 to the Press Ball, which this year is supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Dave Muller, college principal, said: “We are delighted to work with the Evening Star again this year to support the press ball and its chosen charity.

“The college roof was opened in May to raise money for the charity and to enable the public one last chance to see the wonderful views of Ipswich and the surrounding area available from the roof.”

The college tower block is being demolished later this year to make way for the college's new sports hall and all weather pitches.

Prof Muller added: “Several people came along, many who had been students at the college 30 or more years ago.

“Money was also raised from ticket sales for the Staff Summer party.

“The party which was held at Trinity Park on Friday, June 12 was attended by over 170 members of staff and their guests.”

Morgan Ashurst, contactors for the �70 million new build for Suffolk New College, which opens for teaching this September, added a cheque for �250 to the money raised.

Derek Foster, Morgan Ashurst senior contracts manager, said: “We have developed a great relationship with Suffolk New College over the last two years and we're very happy to help them raise money for good causes.”

Morgan Ashurst has also supported the college's Summer Ball for the last two years, and raised money for The Prince's Trust in partnership with the college.

As announced in The Evening Star, Press Ball headline acts will include rock legend and soul sensation Ray Lewis of The Drifters fame who will perform at the Soul Ball themed night of nights.

Strongly supported by the county's business community, the Press Ball is once again sponsored by Ipswich firm Call Connection.

See Saturday's Evening Star and visit our website www.eveningstar.co.uk for full coverage of the Ipswich and Suffolk Press Ball.

Further information can be found about Cystic Fibrosis on the website www.cftrust.org.uk. Help and advice for those affected by Cystic Fibrosis is available through the Cystic Fibrosis Helpline on 0845 859 1000. To find out more about the Ipswich and Suffolk Press Ball visit our dedicated press Ball section on our website www.eveningstar.co.uk

Have you been helped by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust? Are you a regular guest at the Ipswich and Suffolk Press Ball? What do you think? Write to Your Letters Evening Star 30 Lower Brook Street Ipswich IP4 1AN or send an e mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the UK's most common life-threatening inherited disease.

Cystic fibrosis affects more than 8,000 people in the UK.

More than two million people in the UK carry the faulty gene that causes cystic fibrosis - around 1 in 25 of the population.

If two carriers have a child, the baby has a 1 in 4 chance of having cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus. This makes it hard to breathe and digest food.

Each week, five babies are born with CF.

Each week, three young lives are lost to CFs.

Around half of the CF population can expect to live over 35 years, although improvements in treatments mean a baby born today could expect to live even longer.