SUPPORTERS of a Skipton based children's charity put on their glad-rags and raised £17,500 at its annual fundraising ball.

Around 150 people attended the Principle Trust's James Bond night held at The Craiglands Hotel in Ilkley, which has recently joined the charity's growing list of patrons.

And, it was a night to remember for the charity, which was set up ten years ago to provide free, much needed holidays to children across Yorkshire who are underprivileged, disadvantaged, disabled, have life-limiting conditions, or who have experienced poverty, trauma or abuse.

Firmly established as the highlight of the trust’s fundraising calendar, the ball was supported by businesses across Craven and Wharfedale including Dacre Son and Hartley, Greenholme Carpets and Flooring, Skipton Properties, Print Crew, Crag and Co Accountants, and Principle Healthcare.

Also at the ball was CrossFit Skipton, Soul and Co Photography, Settle Victoria Hall, Health Innovations and Mortgages with Hannie. The sum raised will mean 35 families will be able to benefit from a free week-long respite break in one of the charity's holiday homes including in the Lakes and

Launched in 2011, The Principle Trust Children’s Charity was established by Ilkley businessman Mike Davies, MBE. Over the past decade the trust has raised more than £1m and provided respite breaks for more than 4, 000 children across the Yorkshire region.

Mr Davies said: "Our annual ball is a key event in our fundraising calendar and is always generously supported. To have raised over seventeen thousand pounds in such challenging economic times was beyond our expectations and all monies raised will fund respite holidays for dozens of needy children and their families."

The trust owns and operates five holiday homes; two in the Lake District and three near Blackpool.

Its100 per cent donations policy ensures every penny raised directly benefits children and their families.

To mark the charity’s first decade, founder Mike Davies MBE wrote and published a book, making Memories That Last. Copies are available from kerry.magson@theprincipletrust.co.uk.

The book contains stories of many of the children who have benefitted from the charity. They include Toby, a severely disabled boy who has severe global development delay, epilepsy and osteoporosis.

His mum wrote: "So much of our life is taken up by hospital appointments and therapies and medications and even though the break was just three nights, it made such a difference to all our well-being."

For more information about the charity visit www.theprincipletrust.co.uk