The Manchester business community was out in force last night at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse in support of Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH) and Class of 92-backed charity Foundation 92 at the Champions for Children Gala Dinner, supporting young people across the North West.

The event, which is in its first year, raised £267,412 for children across the region, split equally between both charities, and was also attended by a host of famous faces from the world of sport and entertainment. Reality-TV star Tanya Bardsley and footballer husband Phil attended as well as Hits Radio UK presenter, Gemma Atkinson.

Other notable guests included Class of 92 members and Foundation 92 founders, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt, and former Manchester United player Wes Brown.

The glitzy evening, which was hosted by celebrity hosts Jenny Powell and celebrity patron Mike Toolan, also saw RMCH Youth Service user Sameer, 16, present a moving impact video detailing the projects that attendees on the night were supporting. The evening’s charity activities included an auction and online silent auction as well as ‘stand for a grand’ fundraising.

A raffle was also held with a selection of money can’t buy prizes including a one-off appearance on Gary Neville’s The Overlap podcast. The night was capped off with a nine-piece soul band and DJ.

Kathy Cowell OBE DL, Chair of Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital said: “It has been a privilege to host the Champions for Children Gala Dinner tonight. On behalf of our patients, families and staff, I would like to thank every single person who has helped to raise such a fantastic sum in support of the children and young people we care for at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Thank you for making a difference, and for helping our patients on their journey towards full, vibrant and independent lives.”

Yvonne Harrison, Chair of Trustees at Foundation 92 said: “It has been incredible to see so many people come together this evening to raise vital funds for both Foundation 92 and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Tonight will make a real difference to so many young people across Greater Manchester and enable us to continue our work in the community so thank you.”

The funds raised on the evening will support two projects at our Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, the country’s largest and busiest children’s hospital which cares for over 285,000 children and young people from across Manchester and the North West each year.

Funds raised at the event will support the hospital’s pioneering Youth Service which supports patients aged 11 and over with long-term health conditions. The service – one of only three hospital youth services in the country – provides vital support at crucial moments, empowering young people to find their voice, build confidence, and navigate the challenges of their condition, both in hospital and at home.

Three patients, Sameer (16), Izzy (15), and Fatma (13) who use the service were present on the night. The inspiring trio were given the full VIP treatment in the hours before the event, with a host of fashion brands contributing outfits and local make-up artists, hair technicians and nail artists getting the three ready for their big night out.

The dinner will also fund a project to support children and young people cared for in the hospital’s inpatient mental health unit, funding workshops that use music and creative expression to help them build confidence, self-esteem and re-establish their identity.

Foundation 92 was founded by the Class of 92 in 2018 and is based in Salford. The charity works across Salford and the Greater Manchester area with a number of different community groups improving lives through sport, education and bespoke projects, with an emphasis on positive physical and mental wellbeing.

The Foundation supports the wider community, offering help to those living with additional needs and disabilities, those tackling homelessness and young people who have or may be at risk of committing offences.

The spectacular event was presented by celebrity event planner Julie Perry Events and supported by headline sponsor Godel Technologies.