by Lizzie Massey

A stripper, drag queen, pole and burlesque dancers, outrageously-named drinks and 300 screaming women...

It sounds like the mother of all hen-dos but, thanks to the efforts of five women, the night which entertained so many ladies also raised £1,400 for the EllenorLions Hospices.

Inspired by the hit novel Fifty Shades of Grey, news of the fundraiser reached author E.L. James, and she Tweeted praise for the Fifty Shades cake (pictured below), handmade by Louise Lau.

Five mums, aged between 27 and 42, spent months organising 50 Shades of Fun with on-stage entertainment, stalls, music, a raffle and a fleet of taxis on standby to take guests home.

VIP topless waiters Alan Hooley, Julian Howard, Andrew Blohm, Sam Blackgrove

Heather Cheeseman, Louise Lau, Becky Murphy, Susan Ewing and Becky Payne, whose children all attend Shears Green Infant School, Northfleet, couldn’t believe the success of the night.

Becky Payne, of Greenhill Road, said: “It completely went over and above our expectations; people were up on their chairs singing with the drag queen and clapping and dancing all night.

The atmosphere was absolutely fantastic.”

Susan’s father died from cancer a few years ago so the ladies were keen to help the hospice.

“We all wanted to give something back to the people who gave so much to her and her family,” said Becky.

“We all know of someone who is suffering with or recovering from cancer, so it’s close to all our hearts.

"The night couldn’t have been possible without such strong community involvement.”

Lads from Gravesend’s Morrisons gave up their time to be waiters, people bought tickets and donated generously to the raffle – including a holiday abroad for two – and companies cut the costs of their services for the night.

Everybody dressed in something grey for the women-only evening at Fleet Leisure, Nelson Road, Northfleet, and enjoyed Fifty Shades-themed drinks with names such as Twitchy Palm and Oh, My!