HUNDREDS of well-wishers turned out in Bristol for a celebratory ball in honour of Thornbury toddler Ezzy Hodge on Saturday.

The campaign for three-year-old Ezzy, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy last year, raised an incredible £80,000 in less than nine months to ensure she will have the chance to walk with revolutionary surgery in America.

Celebrating the campaign’s success on Saturday were many of the people who helped to fundraise with a variety of events that included half marathons, skydives, activity days and collections.

Everyone was dressed to impress, with plenty of entertainment from Bristol band Goodnight Louis and the Bristol Shaolin Wushu Academy wowing the crowds, while the Plumber Brothers from TV’s Gogglebox kept everyone entertained on the red carpet.

There was further fundraising on the night with the raffle and silent auction raising more than £2,000 between them, with prizes including signed items from gymnast Claudia Fragapane, Thornbury judoka Sally Conway and comedian Joel Dommett.

As well as a number of certificates being presented to those that helped the cause, six special awards were presented by Ezzy’s parents Matt and Angela to those that had made a special contribution to the family during the campaign.

Overwhelmed by the turnout, Angela said: “We felt extremely humble that everyone would come out to celebrate with us.

“It is so pleasing to see so many faces who have all done so many incredible things for Ezzy and to have the chance to thank them.

“We still have people helping our appeal as the £80,000 is a set target for the surgery and following aftercare, but with Ezzy’s condition caused by brain damage, she will still need further help afterwards.

“Any extra funding from this point will allow Ezzy to have the best possible care for the longest period as she will need physio for many years to come giving her the best possible chance of independent walking for the long term ahead allowing her to be the strongest she can be.

“A special thank you for helping this night to be such a success goes to everyone who donated prizes to the raffle and auction, to our amazing photographers Gary Horne and Tony Cooney, and to SLX Lighting in Avonmouth for supplying £166,000 of equipment which gave the ball a real wow factor.”

Pictures from the ball are available to purchase online for £3 each, which will be donated to Ezzy’s cause.

To see more pictures from the night, and to buy one, visit www.garyhornephotography.com