Three ladies collectively known as ‘ The Charity Vixens’ – Fiona Parkinson of Close Brothers, Paula Castle of Leonard Curtis, and Jo Booth of Cerberus Group – held a fantastic ladies lunch on 8th October at Menagerie Manchester to raise crucial funds for Variety, the Children’s Charity. They were also supported by Sophie Ingram at Leonard Curtis. Thanks to their fundraising efforts, Variety will be able to change the lives of more disabled and disadvantaged children and young people in the Northwest.

Most of the guests brought along a toy to donate to the Northwest Christmas appeal. A bath tub was overflowing with toys at the end of the day. Thanks go to Matt Bateman of the Cerberus Group who came along on the day to take all the toys to the Variety office.

The afternoon consisted of a fantastic two-course lunch, auction and raffle plus entertainment from the award-winning magician Sam Fitton and Channel 4 mind reader Aaron Calvert, both part of Manchester’s Vanishing Cabaret. The ladies enjoyed a fabulous fashion show by well-known fashion label ‘Style Junky Boutique’ and Seema from ‘Forever Unique’. Four pop-up shops displaying ladies’ fashion and home accessories were set up around the restaurant allowing the ladies to purchase some fanatic offers. Each guest was given a wonderful goodie bag of products to take home.

Development Director at Variety Northwest Region Lyn Staunton said: “We are so very grateful to have the support of Fiona, Paula and Jo. They are amazing ladies who do so much to help children less fortunate than others. Funds raised from the event will support positive experiences for sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people.”