BOLTON Ladies’ Fundraising Group celebrated its 19th year of helping the funds of local organisations by holding a successful lunch at Rivington Barn.

Around 230 women from across the borough enjoyed the three-course gourmet meal. Included were representatives from Soroptomists, local churches like St Peter’s in Halliwell and from Virgin Active.

Author and celebrity chefs’ agent Caroline James was the speaker, entertaining the audience with tales of disasters and successes around the world with well-known chefs.

The event was chaired by Mrs Irene Roocroft, the veteran fundraiser who not only founded this group but was also a leading Bolton campaigner for the NSPCC and the CHAT charity for many years.

In the past, the fundraising group – which holds just the one event each year – has raised thousands of pounds for charities including Bolton Hospice, the Parkinson’s Disease Society, Vision Aid, Bolton Mountain Rescue Team, HomeStart and the North-west Air Ambulance.

This year, Mrs Roocroft was able to present a cheque from the lunch for £3,000 to Pam Marshall from Bolton Urban Outreach.

The 2016 lunch, held once more in April, will boost funds for Fortalice - Bolton’s refuge for women and children escaping domestic violence – and for Macmillan Cancer Support.