Rainbow Hub’s first Virtual Family Evening on Saturday night raised over £54,000 for the Mawdesley charity which supports children and young people with neurological and physical disabilities.

The event, hosted by Britain’s Got Talent runner up and local star Steve Royle, was sponsored by CL Medilaw, Preston North End, and Holroyd Foundation.

The evening featured two performances by current lead singer of Wet, Wet, Wet and The Voice 2016 winner, Kevin Simm, together with appearances by BGT winner Jon Courtney and his fellow contestants Soldiers of Swing, Aidan McCann, and Sign Along With Us among others, plus local acts including children’s entertainer Taz, Zanda Magic and choir Make Noise also gave their support.

PNE players took part in a team naming quiz and a Hit the Crossbar challenge
where David Nugent scored two, beating team mates Paul Gallagher and Jaydon Stockley.

Over 130 families tuned in to enjoy the show and take part in silent auctions where they tried to outbid other virtual guests for fantastic prizes including a games console donated by Par Group; an executive box for next season at PNE; Rolls Royce Silver Ghost chauffeur driven trip and lunch; Christmas package including a 7ft Nordmann Fir Tree donated by Treebarn, Blackrod; £300 loft installation voucher from Access 4 Lofts; Horrible Christmas Drive In show ticket; Photoshoot from Precious Little Bear photography; a non surgical facelift by Permanent Perfection; Christmas hampers; sports memorabilia; an adventure park stay in Snowdonia for 10 people and a three night break at the Windemere Marina Village in a three bedroom apartment - and much more!

Kevin Kneale from Formby was the lucky winner of the prize draw for a £200 voucher for a Lake District Lodge Holidays donated by Eccleston Plastering Services Ltd.

Lyndsay Fahey, Interim CEO, Rainbow Hub told QLocal: “We are absolutely delighted that the evening has been such a huge success.

There are so many people who have helped make this happen that we can’t name them all but we cannot thank them enough especially Steve Royle for stepping in to host the event; our sponsors CL Medilaw, Preston North End and Holroyd Foundation; Kevin Simm and all the artistes who made appearances and our fantastic fundraising team at Rainbow Hub.

“And to everyone who joined us for the evening, bid in the auctions and are helping
us to continue to offer our much needed services – thank you from the bottom of our hearts," she added.

"It has been a difficult year for us all and we have had to cancel many of our events but we are looking forward to the future.”

Anyone who would like to know more about the work of the charity, or support them, can visit www.rainbowhub.org