The Principle Trust marks 15 years of respite breaks for Yorkshire families with a sell-out night at the Queens Hotel

A seaside-themed gala marking the 15th anniversary of The Principle Trust Children's Charity has raised £38,000 to help children and families across Yorkshire facing some of life's hardest circumstances.

More than 200 guests from Yorkshire businesses, charities and the wider community gathered at the Queens Hotel, Leeds, on Saturday 26 September for A Night at the Seaside, an evening built around the nostalgia of the traditional British coastal holiday, from the menu to the entertainment.

Strawberry Cirque CIC supplied magic and acrobatics, tribute act Planet ABBA took to the stage, and saxophonist and DJ Elara Sax closed the night. Money was raised through seaside games, a raffle and a live auction conducted by Yorkshire auctioneer Angus Ashworth.

Founded in 2011 by Mike Davies MBE, the charity has provided free respite breaks for more than 6,300 children affected by trauma, abuse, poverty, serious illness, disability and, increasingly, mental health difficulties.

Late last year it launched a three-year plan to support an extra 100 families annually by 2028, taking it beyond 400 breaks a year, with particular attention to children affected by mental ill health and other adverse childhood experiences. The gala proceeds will support that expansion and help strengthen links with referral partners across the county.

"Over the past 15 years, we have seen how important a break away can be for families going through such incredibly challenging times," said Mr Davies.

"To know that, thanks to the support of everyone who attended, further families will now have that opportunity is truly amazing. It means so much to us and, most importantly, to the families whose lives we can help."

For a charity whose currency is a few days by the sea, a night pretending to be there proved a remarkably effective investment.