A KIND-HEARTED couple has been overwhelmed by the generosity of the Knutsford community.
After sharing a street party for the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee with their Sandileigh Avenue neighbours, hairdresser Richard Illingworth-Harrison and his husband Scott decided to hold a fundraising event.
The pair hosted a charity dinner at the Lost and Found on Princess Street.
The inaugural event last September was such a success, they hosted two further fundraising evenings this year.
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Guests are served fizz on arrival and a three-course dinner, followed by live entertainment and a raffle.
So far, the pair has raised £14,000 for nine local charities.
Three good causes are chosen for each evening.
Richard said: “We wanted to give something back.
“I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved.
“We plan on continuing to raise money with more fabulous events.
“We’d like to thank Lost and Found for always providing such a great space, amazing food and superb staff.
“They make the organising so easy and stress free.”
The couple wish to thank local traders for their generosity.
Richard said: “The events we do include many prizes which we source from local businesses, including Pulse of Perfumery, Toni and Guy and MAK Aesthetics.
“Without these we wouldn’t raise as much money, so it’s fantastic to get help from kind donations in our beautiful town.”
The most recent event earlier this month featured Becky Porter, an Adele tribute artist and drag queens Banksie and Chastity.
Richard said: “My friend Carl Austin-Behan even auctioned off a LGBT garden gnome which raised a whopping £2,000!
“Since moving to Knutsford four years ago, we just love it here and adore the community spirit of everyone, so we know any future events will be successful and enjoyed by everyone.”
Their next event will be a Halloween spooktacular on Saturday, October 28.
Fancy dress, a DJ and Michael Jackson tribute promise to make it another entertaining evening.
This event will be raising funds for The Princes Trust, Compassion in Dying and Cystic Fibrosis.
Nine charities the couple has supported so far include Lower Moss Wood, Christie’s, The Christie, The Welcome, Wythenshawe Neonatal Ward, LGBT Foundation, Papyrus and Visyon.
To book tickets for the next event visit cheshirealmanac.com/events
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