‘A GREAT cause and a great charity’.

This was the apt description of Martin Fry, lead singer of ABC, during their headline act at the 2018 Cash for Kids Christmas lunch on Friday.

But the real stars of the night were the guests, sponsors and businesses who helped raisen early £84,000 on that day for needy families across Ayrshire.

Radio presenters Billy Kirkwood and Bex Johnson got the fun underway at Ayr Racecourse, with other entertainment on the day including singers Emily Middlemas and Daniel Mackin, bands Waterfront and SOAP and star turn ABC.

The real heart of the day, however, belonged to the prize auction and other fundraisers. Kilwinning - based Thorne Travel, who had earlier in the Mission Christmas season put up a family holiday prize to Florida in aid of Cash for Kids, added to that on the day by offering for the star prize draw a five-star trip for two to Dubai.

This alone raised £5,160. Business Development Manager Hilary Kerr said: “The charity is one that feels close to home for us, for personal reasons. They do so much to help a lot of people in the community where we are based.”

Going on to the auction, guests in the room were bidding fast and furious for 17 lots up for offer. These included a vintage bus afternoon and prosecco treat for 30 guests, which raised £2,000, Michael Buble tickets, signed Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo kit, stays at Blairquhan and the Marine Hotel, Royal Ascot tickets, event night tickets and a Ladies Night package at Ayr Racecourse.

For the kids, meanwhile, there were two mini event sponsors. One of the examples of how the money raised translates into direct help came on the night with the presentation of a cheque for £38,975 to North Ayrshire Council.

Explaining that this is part of a £70,000 donation throughout the year to families in their area, Provost Ian Clarkson, who accepted the cheque, said: “This is a tremendous help for the many kids in need.”

As well as the event sponsors, including Hamilton Tarmac, QTS, Future Property Auctions, Avesta, Booth Welsh, the Christmas lunch was made Landrover cars, and even a ‘Ride a Unicorn’ party.

Some prizes also earned double: when a spa treat at the Lochside House Hotel attracted two rival bidders, the RAD Hotel Group donated two prizes, raising £3,200. Cecchini’s also raised £2.4k by offering two ‘Can’t Cook Don’t Have to Cook’ prizes.

Art work also translated into big fundraisers on the night, with a Harry Sutton pastel raising £400 and an original painting of Sam McCoo by Ayrshire artist Steven Brown being bought for £6,000 by Morean and Wullie Hamilton of Hamilton Tarmac, one of the possible by the help of charity volunteers, who helped stage the event along with Cash for Kids staff Lynne Bennett and Lorraine Seivwright.

Lorraine said: “A team of 12 were there to run the main and silent auctions and organise the paperwork from the bidders. Without their help we just wouldn’t be able to do this.”

Lynne added: “The help we get sometimes is tremendous and quite humbling.”

HOW TO HELP:

The Cash for Kids Christmas jumper day is on Thursday, December 13.

Or why not organise another event in your workplace. You can donate £5 by texting WEST to 70808. Cash and toy donations will be passed to community groups. Just hand them the charity’s base at Ladykirk House, Ladykirk Business Park, 11 Skye Road, Prestwick, KA9 2TA.