YOUNGSTERS at Claire House children’s hospice are looking forward to a brighter Christmas, after generous guests at the fifth All That Glitters Ball raised £30,000 for them.
The event, organised by David Barron of Barron Financial Solutions, on Hoghton Street, took the total raised for the charity from his five spectacular evenings to an incredible £172,000.
David and wife Laura were joined at the Floral Hall on Saturday night by 520 guests, including glamorous Hollyoaks stars Gemma Merna and Jennifer Metcalfe, former Manchester United FA Cup winner Lee Martin, and ex-Brookside actor Vince Earl.
Acclaimed artist Michael Raivard flew in from Perpignan to create a unique artwork of John Lennon on stage, which raised £4,000 for Claire House thanks to one generous benefactor in the audience. Gymnastic troupe The Kangaroos and live music kept diners entertained throughout the night.
David Barron thanked several local businesses who donated prizes such as signed Everton FC and Liverpool FC shirts, a walk-on part and a chance to meet cast members at Hollyoaks, and giant stuffed Winnie The Pooh characters.
Ex-Red Devils star Lee Martin offered to drive the winners of a trip to watch Manchester United to Old Trafford for another much sought-after prize, while £5,000 was raised in a raffle.
David organised his first Glitter Ball in February 2003, following a moving visit to see youngsters being cared for at the Wirral-based hospice. His support for the charity has continued every since.
He said: “I would like to thank everyone who came and supported us on Saturday – £30,000 was an incredible amount to raise in this current market.
“I am over the moon by how well it all went, but I can’t take all the credit for all those amazing people who put their hands in their pockets and gave their much-needed support to Claire House.
“I would also like to thank our sponsors Sunshine Homes, PT Jones & Partners, Proline Corporation and Imerja for all their help and support in making this event possible, and our compere, Paul Stone, who helped keep our evening running along.”
Yvonne Cave, senior area fundraiser for Claire House (Sefton & West Lancs), said: “Claire House children’s hospice offers respite and palliative care to the families of life-threatened and life-limited children in Merseyside, West Lancs, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle Of Man.
“We need to raise £2.5million each year and receive no guaranteed government funding.
“David Barron has been a valued supporter of Claire House for many years and his tremendous effort to raise money for Claire House is very much appreciated.
“All of us at Claire House are extremely grateful to David, his wife Laura and the team at Barron Financial Solutions.”
Source - Online News Magazine.
