A KNUTSFORD restaurant raised more than £5,000 for two local causes when it invited special guests to join staff to celebrate its first birthday.

The beneficiaries of the event, held at Don Giovanni on King Street, were the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust and nine-year old Knutsfordian Niamh Curbishley who was diagnosed with cancer last year.

The event was organised by Angela Jafari at Don Giovanni with the help of restaurant owner Bob Ghojevand. More than 200 guests joined them for an evening of canapes, fine wines and entertainment, including trustee of CAFT Mike Bulcock and fundraiser Pippa Watton.

Guests were entertained by not one, but four singers, while Peter Murray from Pulse of Perfumery hosted an auction which raised £2,300 and included unique prizes such as an afternoon with either Myleene Klass or Fearne Cotton at an exclusive fashion shoot and a perfume party for 10 people with champagne and canapes with Pulse of Perfumery.

An impressive £1,750 was also raised through a grand raffle with fabulous prizes donated by Knutsford businesses, who were incredibly supportive of the event. To add to this, the staff at Don Giovanni generously donated their wages for the evening.

Pippa Watton, events fundraiser at CAFT, said: “We are so grateful to Angela for all of her hard work, this was a fantastic event and we feel honoured to have been part of Don Giovanni’s 1st Birthday celebrations.

“The money raised on the night will go straight into our holiday programme and will provide once in a lifetime breaks for some very special children this year.

“Without the support of local businesses we would simply cease to exist, it is only with their help that we can continue to change the lives of local children in desperate need.”

If you would like further information about the Adventure Farm call the fundraising office on 01565 830 053 or visit caft.co.uk.