A CHESHIRE children's charity has praised our readers' amazing support for a campaign that brought smiles to faces of ill, disabled and disadvantaged children across Halton over Christmas.

The Children's Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT)'s Selection Box Appeal provided a magical Christmas Party experience to around 1,600 children this year.

This year the charity collected 4,347 boxes through its appeal, beating last year's 3,895.

Helen Crowther, from CAFT, told Runcorn & Widnes World: "There’s no way I thought we would get anywhere close to last year’s 3,895 as it was so slow to start off – I’m so glad I was wrong!!

"288 Selection Boxes were donated by the kind people of Halton this year, which is fantastic!

"Our drop off points over there worked so hard to collect donations, we really can't thank everyone enough."

Each child visiting the charity for a party was treated to a day full of all things festive, including a visit to their Christmas Barn to meet the animals, a disco, party games, a turkey dinner and a visit to the Elves Workshop for festive arts and crafts.

The highlight of their day however was a visit to Santa when they were given a sack full of carefully matched gifts, kindly donated by the charity's supporters.

An Arabian Nights-themed ball earlier this month raised £100,000 for the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust.

The charity's 22nd annual ball, at Mere Golf Resort & Spa was attended by 350 guests, who were joined by their patrons Noddy and Suzan Holder, Curtis and Emma Jobling and Cat Kingston.

Funds raised on the night will enable the charity to continue their work providing holidays and day visits to their 10 acre site in Millington for terminally ill, disabled and disadvantaged children from all over the North West.

CAFT helped a total of 3,500 children during 2019.

Thanks to the amazing total raised at the Ball, they are now hoping to help even more children in 2020 - setting themselves a target of 5,000 children who will visit them for much-needed breaks, fun days and magical Christmas party days!

Events fundraiser Pippa Watton said: "This was such a wonderful night, our guests really are the best!

"Our staff and volunteers work so hard on this event and it’s so rewarding for us all to see everyone having such a great time. Every year we are blown away by the generosity of our guests and this year was no exception.

"To raise £100,000 in just one night is astounding, we’re all still reeling!

This money will make such a huge difference to the children visiting us here at the Adventure Farm and we can’t thank everyone enough for their unwavering support."