A champagne reception greeted over 400 guests at the Francis House Children’s Hospice Silver Jubilee Christmas Ball, held at The Mere Golf Resort and Spa, Knutsford.

The theme of this year’s event marked the hospice’s 25th birthday, which occurred in November. Guests enjoyed a three course meal followed by music from One Entertainment. A silent and live auction, which was hosted by Bargain Hunt’s Thomas Plant, helped to raise £100,000 in profit for the Didsbury-based hospice.

Lucy Thompson, events fundraiser, said: ‘We can’t thank people enough for showing their care and support for the children and young people with life limiting conditions and their families at this special time of year.’