A CHILDREN'S charity is busy spreading festive cheer after raising a huge £140,000 at its Christmas ball.

The Children's Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT) hosted a glamorous white Christmas ball where 450 guests all chipped in to raise the record-breaking amount.

The trust, located in Booth Bank Farm near Lymm provides holidays and day visits to a 10 acre site for terminally ill, disabled and disadvantaged children from all over the north west.

Host, Andy Ashworth, was joined by a team of helpers in welcoming guests to the Mere golf resort and spa 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 very own sleigh, sponsored by Cartwright Group and handmade especially for the event by M J Thomas.

Special raffles saw one lucky winner walking away with a bracelet worth £1,695, donated by Randalls of Altrincham and another received a ring worth £600, donated by Robert Hallworth.

The Teddy Bear raffle saw the winner fly away with a pair of return tickets to New York courtesy of United Airlines and was presented by Coronation Street and Shameless star, Sally Carman. Children’s author and illustrator of Bob the Builder, Curtis Jobling, attended the event to lend a hand in presenting the winner of a magnum of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, donated by Ian Eccles of Beechwood Travel.

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

Events fundraiser, Pippa Watton, said: "This was such a wonderful night, our guests really are the best!

"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 just one night is astounding, we’re all still reeling!

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

For further information about future events or to enquire about the work of the Adventure Farm, call the fundraising team on 01565 830 053, or visit their website.