STAFF at one of Bolton’s largest employers have given a timely boost to two good causes following a charity gala dinner.

Bolton Hospice and When You Wish Upon A Star are two of the nine outfits which will share in a £201,700 bonanza from a major fundraiser staged by Lostock-based MBDA.

Each year the missile maker hosts a huge get-together in London, to support a host of civic and military organisations..

Customers, suppliers, shareholders, partners and staff all purchased tickets for the money-raising event thhroughout the year, contributing to the total.

Nathan Edge, chairman of MBDA’s charity challenge committee in Bolton, said: “The charities we nominated and selected provide great assistance in the areas where we live and work.

“Bolton Hospice does great work within the community by giving care that aims to improve the lives of people whose illness may not be curable, placing the highest value on respect and choice.

“We think When You Wish Upon A Star do amazing work making dreams come true for children who have life-threatening illnesses.

“But it’s not just wishes they grant; they also invest specialist equipment to help try to give the children and their families the longest and best life available. They are both causes we hope will benefit from the money raised at our charity dinner.”

Caroline Savage, the hospice’s interim director of income generation and communications, said: “We’re very grateful to MBDA for their generous support and for choosing to raise vital funds for Bolton Hospice.”

Others to benefit from the event include The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, The Royal Navy and the Royal Marines Charity and ABF - The Soldiers Charity.

Andy Reid, an ABF ambassador, said: “It was a pleasure to be a part of this year’s MBDA Dinner in honour of their continued commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community.

“The outstanding amount of funds raised does much to support soldiers, veterans and their families in times of need, along with the wider Armed Forces family.”