More than 700 guests put aside thoughts of recession to attend this year's Candy Ball, the main fundraising event for benevolent fund Sweet Charity, earlier this month.

The charity supports former employees of the confectionery industry and their dependents, covering the retail, wholesale and munfacturing trades and offering care, support and resources to make people's lives easier.

Funds from the event, which was held on April 4, are still being collected, but more than £100,000 has already been raised, including a generous £1,250 donated by the SP Group to sponsor Convenience Retailing Show director Matthew Butler's vest when he runs the London Marathon on April 26.

Sweet Charity director general Patrick Davis commented: "We are delighted by the success of the Candy Ball and really encouraged by the ongoing support of the industry to raise vital funds for our beneficiaries."