PEOPLE got dressed up in their finest clothes to support two 'incredible' charities.

The Mental Health Charity Ball took place at the Abbey House Hotel on Abbey Road on Saturday, October 12.

The night was designed to raise money for Self-harm Awareness for All (SAFA) Cumbria, which is based on Ironworks Road in Barrow, and Barnardo's, which supports children and young people across the UK.

Read more: Self-harm Awareness for All Cumbria receives King's Award | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)

Dalton North councillor Ben Shirley attended the special evening and said: "We had a great night with friends and family, supporting the Mental Health Charity Ball.

"Natalie and Jordan Woodend did an incredible job and put on a fantastic show - thank you!

"Such a lot of money has been raised for two incredible charities."

In the past, Councillor Shirley has been open about his struggles with his own mental health, using his personal experiences to support a motion to appoint a mental health champion at Barrow council in 2020.

SAFA Cumbria lauded the event as a 'great night' and thanked those who came out to reach deep into their pockets.

Chief executive officer Cindy Daltioni commented: "We had such a fabulous night supporting the Mental Health Charity Ball - it was a great night.”

SAFA Cumbria are working against the 'critical and growing issue' of self-harm, with the largest segment of their client base being young people aged 11-19.

Their efforts to increase awareness also focus on the forms that self-harm can take, which can manifest in cutting, excessive social media use, over-exercising, overworking and eating disorders. 

Earlier this year, the charity received the King's Award for Voluntary Service, the highest accolade a voluntary group can achieve in the country.

Barnardo's runs over 800 centres in the UK, doing their best to ensure young people nationwide 'feel safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful'.