The Manchester Bee Fund and The Christie Young Adult and Teenage Cancer Unit have benefitted from money raised by former footballer Lee Sharpe’s charity ball.

The event, at the Midland Hotel in Manchester, was attended by 260 guests, including ex-Manchester United footballer David May and Hollyoaks actress Nicole Barber-Lane. Guests enjoyed a champagne reception with live entertainment before sitting down for dinner.

The evening raised £20,000 for this year’s chosen charities. The Foundation was started 11 years ago by four friends who wanted to give something back: Lee Sharpe, Greg Thomson, Colin Booth and Tina Booth.

There were also special guests in attendance; the charity’s ‘Queen Bee’ Lisa Bridgett who was hospitalised following the Manchester Arena attack, and a young cancer survivor, Kristian Bell, who received treatment at The Christie. She has now been given the all clear. w