Guests enjoyed entertainment from Girl on Sax, May Crick and swing singer Paul Pashley

The Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity hosted its annual Christmas lunch, Sparkle in the City, raising £35,000 to help the rehabilitation of young patients with burns injuries. Held at the Midland Hotel, Manchester, the event was sponsored by Selfridges & Co Manchester and hosted by Key 103 breakfast presenter, Mike Toolan.

Guests enjoyed entertainment from Girl on Sax, May Crick and swing singer Paul Pashley, as well as an auction, festive fashion show and boutique shopping stalls from Selfridges. Special guest at the lunch was 15-year-old Eve Senior, who suffered multiple shrapnel wounds and burns to her legs at the Manchester Arena attack and was treated at the hospital. Eve attended with her sister and mother.

Sarah Naismith, head of Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity, said: ‘We are incredibly grateful to every single person who attended. A fantastic amount was raised which will go towards helping to make a huge difference in supporting rehabilitation and improving self-esteem in burn-injured children.’