CHILDREN from Altrincham's Loreto Preparatory School sang and performed in front of a festive audience of 400 people at Manchester Cathedral.

Guests tucked into mince pies and mulled wine and enjoyed a whole host of entertainment, raising £6,429 for Old Trafford based Henshaws Society for Blind People in the process.

The seasonal event has been taking place for more than 15 years and brings together Henshaws staff, volunteers and supporters as well as service users who are affected by sight loss and other disabilities.

Among the speakers was Hannah Russell, a visually impaired swimmer who won silver and bronze medals in the pool at the London 2012 Paralympics.

Hannah, who is a Henshaws ambassador, spoke of her passion for sporting success and how she has the next Paralympic Games in Brazil in 2016 set firmly in her sights.

Another speaker was Henshaws’ trustee Andrew Rose, who is blind. He talked about how the charity had changed his life and the lives of many others.

Performances on the night came from soprano singer Denise Leigh, with her husband Stefan Andrusyschyn on piano, another singer Jess Bennett, of Bury, and Marple-based a capella female vocal group Heartbeat.

There was also a special nativity performance from the pupils of Loreto Preparatory School in Altrincham and from talented pianists from Chetham’s School of Music.

Henshaws’ chief executive Nick Marr said: “This was a wonderful night at a breathtaking venue.

“I want to thank each and every person who came to support Henshaws and for helping to raise such a phenomenal amount of money.

“It was inspiring to listen to the stories of people who have benefitted from Henshaws in some way at the end of what has been a successful year for our services.”

Loreto children pictured - left to right - back row: Rosie Grimley, aged nine, Charlotte Newey, aged 11, Natalia Farr, aged nine, Isabella Savas-Jones and Emily Forkan, both aged 10.

Front row: Jessica McDonald, aged 11, Ava McCarthy, aged nine, and Amira McWilliams, aged nine.