Heading into its eighth year, the Whanganui Countdown Kids Hospital Ball is back and will be held at the War Memorial Hall on Saturday.
Starting as a small event in a school hall with only 100 guests, the spring ball has grown into a "community-supported phenomenon" with around 400 people expected to attend this year's event.
Countdown group manager Wayne Law said a number of local businesses and volunteers had got behind the event to help put on a fun night that benefits a worthy cause.
"At the end of the day, no one wants a sick child and the work done from the fundraising gives hospitals the ability to provide quality of life and care."
He said the aim was to raise over $20,000 and that money will go towards the national Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal.