CHILDREN’S charity leaders are celebrating the record-breaking success of their White Christmas-themed ball.

The festive celebration at the Mere Golf Resort and Spa raised £140,000 for the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust.

The charity’s 21st annual ball was attended by 450 guests, 150 more than the previous year, helping to raise £40,000 more than the 2017 figure.

Funds raised on the night will enable the charity to continue providing holidays and day visits to its 10-acre site in Millington for terminally ill, disabled and disadvantaged children from the north west.

Host Andy Ashworth was joined by a team of helpers in welcoming their guests with a glass of fizz and the big band sounds of Wychcraft and close-up magic by Stevie Mandini.

The White Christmas theme continued when guests entered the main room as a winter wonderland awaited them, complete with alpine snow scene, frosty trees and festive decorations.

There was even a chance to pose in the charity’s sleigh, sponsored by Cartwright Group and handmade especially for the event by M J Thomas, in a scene lifted out of the 1950s film White Christmas, which provided the event’s theme.

The Christmas cracker raffle saw one lucky winner going away with an 18ct white gold and diamond bracelet worth £1,695, donated by Randalls of Altrincham and presented by Martin Duff. The second prize was an 18ct white gold, diamond and rose quartz ring worth £600 donated by Robert Hallworth.

The Teddy Bear raffle saw the winner walk away with return tickets to New York courtesy of United Airlines, presented by Coronation Street and Shameless star Sally Carman.

Children’s author and illustrator Curtis Jobling attended the event with his wife Emma and was pleased to help present the winner of the free prize draw with a magnum of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, donated by Ian Eccles of Beechwood Travel.

Thermotech Solutions were main sponsors of the event, and Transformulas, (who were there on the night) provided thousands of pounds worth of table gifts for the guests, along with Next and Roberts Bakery.

CAFT patron Cat Kingston joined Andy Ashworth to draw the grand raffle with prizes donated by a host of supporters, including a case of Laurent Perrier Champagne worth £300 thanks to Northern Belle. The charity had secured amazing prizes for the Silent and Live Auctions, including holidays to Portugal and Crete, exclusive tickets to the PFA Player of the Year Awards and a chance to meet CAFT Paton Jason Manford at one of his forthcoming gigs.

Live music was provided by the Deadbeats, and DJ Neil Bebbo rounded the evening off before carriages at 2am.

Events fundraiser Pippa Watton said: “This was such a wonderful night. Our staff and volunteers work so hard on this event and it’s so rewarding for us all to see everyone having such a great time.

“Every year we are blown away by the generosity of our guests and this year was no exception.

“To raise £140,000 in one night is astounding - we’re all still reeling!

“This money will make such a huge difference to the children visiting us at the Adventure Farm, and we can’t thank everyone enough for their unwavering support.”

1: CAFT staff and volunteers, from left, back, Helen Frank, Carol Robinson, Jure Modic, Katy Airey, Josie Collier, Marie Molnar, Tom Lockett, Rachel Brooks, Laura Grewer, Pippa Watton, Helen Crowther, front, Ian Eccles and Catherine Watton

2: Kimmy Williams with CAFT patron Cat Kingston

3: Coronation Street’s Sally Carman draws the winning ticket in the Teddy Bear raffle

4: Children’s author Curtis Jobling presents the winner of the free prize draw

Photographs by Andrew Collier Photography