NORFOLK PRIDE: Jessica Smith, left, and Amy Greenwood are organising a charity ball in aid of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. Picture: Ian Burt

A charity ball with a difference will celebrate all things Norfolk.

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A charity ball with a difference will celebrate all things Norfolk.

The Nelson’s County Ball at the Royal Norfolk Show Ground on May 26 will be a showcase for the county’s food, music... and even slang.

The fundraiser is the brainchild of Amy Greenwood and friend Jess Smith - two self-confessed Norfolk girls who wanted to celebrate their own county.

Even the menu combines Norfolk produce and Norfolk slang, complete with “herb-crusted hin an’ orl the trimmins”, and a “gret ol’ bit a white chocolate and mandarin torte for ar’ters”.

All proceeds will go towards the cancer and haematology department at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

The two hit upon the idea while looking for a way to raise money for the hospital, which cared for Miss Greenwood’s grandmother, Bridget Greenwood, before her death at age 58 in 2005.

She said: “My grandma was the rock of our family, and she died after a long battle with ovarian cancer.

“The support and help she got, and that my family got, was just fantastic and I wanted to do something to thank the hospital.

“The people who work in the department are brilliant and I really admire them for the job they do.”

Miss Greenwood, a former events organiser from Reepham, said she and Miss Smith, who works in the catering industry, decided to put their experience to good use.

She said: “I didn’t want to do anything sporty, and a charity ball seemed to make sense. Since we came up with the idea, we have gone from strength to strength.”

As well as locally-sourced food, the ball will feature Norfolk musicians, tables named after Norfolk landmarks and famous figures – and the two organisers hope the county’s businesses will back the idea too.

The evening will include a charity auction and raffle – with prizes including a week’s holiday in Spain – and the organisers hope to raise more than £5,000.

If the event proves successful, Miss Greenwood hopes it can become established as an annual fixture.

“It’s a way of celebrating Norfolk and bringing the community together,” she said.

“Unfortunately everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer, and this is a way of raising money for a fantastic cause.”

Tickets for the ball are available from www.nelsonscountyball.co.uk