URGENTLY needed funds were raised for Bolton Lads and Girls Club with an evening of fine dining.

The club joined forces with Warrington Youth Club to raise £12,000 for the charities by hosting an evening at Harvey Nichols in Manchester.

Their annual gourmet evening fundraising dinner was hailed a huge success as it was attended by over 120 guests.

Head of Fundraising at Bolton Lads & Girls Club, Shona Walsh, who helped organise the event, said: “We were thrilled with how well the evening went and extremely grateful to all our guests for giving so generously.

“There is a growing demand for our service and the additional supporters we got from this evening were vital. We hope they will stay on board as they are crucial in our efforts to meet the need of the local children who use the service.”

The club, which was founded over 120 years ago, has enjoyed a string of recent successes including winning youth organisation of the year at the UK Youth Awards.

The award celebrated the innovative and adaptable youth organisations that have overcome challenges to support young people and their local communities, helping young people to positively progress and support them through their social development journey.

Chief executive of Warrington Youth Club, Dave McNicoll hosted the evening where guests had a three-course meal and an auction.

Oliver Hopkinson, son of long standing patron to Bolton Lads & Girls Club, Nick Hopkinson, said: “Everyone had a fantastic time and absolutely loved it, the atmosphere is electric. By taking part in this amazing event, we are trying to help make a difference to the lives of the young people in Bolton and Warrington.”

The club was one of the first organisations in the North West to recognise the importance of providing young people with a safe haven to spend their free time.

Now, they are one of the biggest youth centres in the UK, welcoming young people aged eight to 19 years-old.

The charity relies on donations to keep running. It needs £6,000 per day to keep the services going which it gets from a variety of methods including grant bids and member’s entrance fees.

For more information on how to work with Bolton Lads & Girls Club, call 01204 540100, visit www.boltonladsandgirlsclub.co.uk or email info@blgc.co.uk