A FUNDRAISING evening for mental health charity MIND will be held in Ilkley next month.

The event takes place at the Audley Clevedon retirement home, in Ben Rhydding, from 6pm to 10pm on Saturday, November 19.

It will feature stalls from a number of businesses including Maybimoo Papercut Art, Scents by Sophie The Matty Tree and Phoenix Cards, along with a prize raffle and mass balloon release.

MIND is a charity close to organiser and Ilkley resident Laura Sant's heart, as she developed extreme anxiety after having her first child and also suffers from depression.,

Laura, whose ow business Fake Bake Beauty at Home will also feature on the night, said: "I decided to organise my festive shopping event to raise awareness of mental health, help break the stigma and, importantly, to raise money for MIND to help others.

"We hope to see lots of ladies there enjoying the evening whilst raising money for an amazing cause, and it is free entry.

"Myself and my husband will also be holding a raffle with all proceeds going to MIND; we have had some amazing donations from local businesses and we are so so grateful - thank you.

"We are also having a sponsored balloon release on the evening, for £2 each, and individuals are adding special notes to the balloons about things they feel they need to release and let go regarding anything negative in their lives."

Reflecting on her own experience, she added: "It makes really emotional talking about my story; however I want to help as many people as possible - to let them know it’s okay to not be okay, and that they aren’t alone.

"I really want to break the mental health stigma and let people know it's okay to talk about it.

"I'm not ashamed to share my story and I'm not ashamed of how I felt.

"It's a mental illness that no one can help, and it creeps up on you and takes you totally by surprise."

To find out more about Laura's story visit fakebaketheblog.com .

Balloons for the MIND fundraising night, meanwhile, can be sponsored at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/laurasant .