A CHILDREN'S charity is busy celebrating after its Ladies Lunch raised more than £40,000 for young people in need across the region.

The Children's Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT) invited its patrons and 350 guests to a Mamma Mia themed lunch, treating them to entertainment and a luxurious raffle, with prizes including a £595 handbag and a £1,000 diamond necklace.

Warrington Guardian:

The trust, located in Booth Bank Farm near Lymm, provides holidays and day visits for terminally ill, disabled and disadvantaged children in the north west.

Several guests at the Ladies Lunch, which raised £46,000, pledged to sponsor holidays for children who will visit the charity in the near future.

Warrington Guardian:

Held at The Mere Golf Resort and Spa and hosted by Paul Sleem, CAFT supporters enjoyed a glass of fizz, shopping stalls and various discounts and goodies as a thank you.

The charity’s new head of operations, Ian Eccles, trustees, Nick Montague and Mike Bulcock, and staff members Tom Lockett and Rob Bashforth also put on a performance for the crowd.

Warrington Guardian:

The boys then lent a hand in one of the charity’s signature special raffles when the ladies handed over their £10 raffle entry for a chance to win a Mulberry handbag worth £595.

New CAFT patron Emma Jobling presented the lucky winner Debra Holt with her prize.

Warrington Guardian:

She was joined by long term patron and ex-Coronation Street star Jennifer James who presented diamond raffle winner Catherine Sandland with a stunning diamond necklace worth £1,000, sponsored by Kellands of Hale.

Hayley Smallman gave a powerful speech about her family’s experiences at CAFT, describing how the charity made a huge difference to her desperately ill daughter Holly and the rest of her family.

Warrington Guardian:

Pippa Watton, who organised the event, said: "Just when we think our Ladies Lunch can’t get any bigger, or better, we’re proved wrong!

"This year’s event was amazing, the theme brought a little sunshine to our otherwise disappointing summer!

"Our ladies never let us down when it comes to fundraising and fun, there was a real party atmosphere from beginning to end!

Warrington Guardian:

"We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of our guests, and of course our fantastic sponsors, and really can’t thank them all enough.

"There are so many people who worked very hard to make the event a success that I couldn’t possible mention all of them, but without their support this event simply wouldn’t have been possible."