Congleton: Franklyn's 'Winter Waltz' raises an incredible £175,000

Congleton-based wealth management firm, Franklyn Financial Management, were joined by over 300 guests at The Mere Golf Resort and Spa on Friday 25th November for their Winter Waltz Gala Dinner where an astonishing amount was raised.

The firm based on John Bradshaw Court, held an annual festive charity get-together which this year raised £175,000 for charity.

The event took place in aid of the St. James's Place Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of St. James's Place Wealth Management, of which Franklyn are a senior partner practice.

One of the most successful corporate foundations in the UK, the SJP foundation distributes grants to thousands of charities across the country with their key focus being on supporting disadvantaged or disabled children and young people, hospices, cancer care, mental health, and veterans.

They have an office just off Alexandra Way, and have helped raise a stunning amount for charity. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Congleton Nub News)

Part of the monies raised on the night will also go to the chosen 'pledge charity' of the event - a local, worthy charity which attendees are able to support through pledging to donate a specific amount that will go directly to the them. This year it was North West and North Wales based childhood cancer support charity, The Joshua Tree, that was selected as the pledge charity for the event.

Recognising that every family's cancer journey is unique, Cheshire charity The Joshua Tree works with families who have been affected by childhood cancer.

The Northwich good cause provides emotional, academic, and practical support such as counselling, art and play therapy, health and well-being advice, support in and around the home, and educational tutoring where required to help ensure that life remains as normal as possible during an incredibly traumatic time.

After more than 65 guests pledged their support at the Congleton-arranged do, The Joshua Tree will receive a donation of £126,000 which will go towards providing more support to local families affected by childhood cancer.

It was all smiles for representatives of both charities, given the astounding amount raised. And celeb Jake Quickenden (pink shirt) also posed for a pic. (Image - Helen Cotton Photography)

Richard Driffield, CEO at The Joshua Tree, commented: "We are so grateful to the team at Franklyn Financial Management for choosing to support The Joshua Tree as their pledge charity for this year's Winter Waltz.

"We are blown away by the generosity of everyone who attended and the amount raised is incredible, thank you to SJP for matching the amount pledged on the night. As a small charity, this level of support will make a huge difference and enable us to help even more families affected by childhood cancers"

The North's only Premiership rugby side and official partners of Franklyn, Sale Sharks Rugby Club, were one of the biggest supporters on the night who pledged an incredible £50,000 to The Joshua Tree, making their donation the largest single amount pledged in Franklyn's history of running their event.

The evening itself was sponsored by foreign exchange experts, TorFX, as well as Acceptcards, Flagstone, Belvoir, and Franklyn Elite Sports, and was hosted by Manchester based Happy Radio presenter, Darren Proctor.

Guests enjoy a performance from seasoned party band Madhen. (Image - Helen Cotton Photography)

Guests were kept well entertained with performances from Cheshire based singer, Georgia Hair, and former X-Factor, I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, and Dancing on Ice reality star, Jake Quickenden.

The night was made complete with a high-energy, party rocking set from one of the UK's best party bands, Madhen.

Andrew Chatterton, Managing Director and Chartered Financial Planner at Franklyn, stated: "Giving back is something that we pride ourselves on at Franklyn and following on from the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been clear that many charities around the world are still feeling the profound effects from it.

"With this in mind along with the current cost of living crisis, we know that our support by running the Winter Waltz to the SJP Foundation and The Joshua Tree is more important than ever before.

Franklyn Financial Management were founded in Congleton in 1998. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Congleton Nub News)

"Each year I am blown away by the generosity of our guests and supporters of the event, and this year was no different. I would like to once again thank those that made the Winter Waltz possible and I look forward to continuing our charitable activities in 2023 which promises to be an exciting year for Franklyn."

With the amount raised at this year's Winter Waltz, the running total raised by Franklyn over the years for the SJP Charitable Foundation now stands at £1.46 million

CEO of St. James's Place Wealth Management and Chair of the SJP Charitable Foundation, Andrew Croft, was in attendance at the event and commented: "As Chair of the St James's Place Charitable Foundation Trustees, I know the monies raised at this year's Winter Waltz will make a huge difference to so many charities across the globe and as a board, we are incredibly grateful for the support of Andrew, Charlotte, and the team at Franklyn.

"The now £1.46million raised by them over the years for charity is a testament to their commitment and dedication to giving back to those less fortunate and a testament to the success of their charity events which continue to get bigger and better every year."