GLAMOROUS Bolton ladies came out in force to enjoy a day in support of two charities.

The Ladies Day was held at the Holiday Inn, Higher Bridge Street, on Friday to raise thousands of pounds for the Gary Parkinson Trust and Boot Out Breast Cancer.

It was arranged by mother-of-three Lisa Forshaw, of Westhoughton, who is a Boot Out Breast Cancer committee member and friend of Gary Parkinson’s wife Debbie.

Waterloo Road actress Chelsee Healey popped in to support the event and there were stalls, raffles, an auction and entertainment enjoyed by more than 300 women.

Debbie Dowie, Bolton-based wife of football pundit Iain, set up Boot Out Breast Cancer in November 2010, after being diagnosed with the disease in August 2009.

The charity has since raised more than £300,000 to buy the latest diagnostic equipment for NHS hospitals across the North West.

She said: “It’s lovely to see everybody together, all pulling together for the two charities.”

The mother-of-two’s cancer was discovered early and treated but it alerted her to the need for the latest equipment.

She said: “Equipment goes out of date very quickly. There is a desperate need for the latest, state-of-the-art equipment.” The former Bolton Wanderers player Gary Parkinson was left with locked-in syndrome after suffering a massive stroke at his home in September, 2010, and money raised helps fund physiotherapy for the 45-year-old.

Lauren Carter-Bridges, from Lauren Ashley Jewellers, Market Place Shopping Centre, which donated a £1,600 diamond pendant for the auction, said: “The event is fabulous. To hear the stories of both the Debbies, it does really get to me.”

Her sister Camisha Carter, aged 16, a musical theatre student at Pendleton College, sang at the event.

Mrs Forshaw thanked everyone who attended the event and donated goods, as well as Direct2florist, who provided centrepieces for the tables and Cowgill Holloway Chartered Accountants, who supplied 50 bottles of Champagne.

Bolton-based freelance make-up artist Nafisa Seth created picture perfect looks for the models .

They showcased clothes from DB3, Market Place Shopping Centre, during a fashion show.

Carrie Ashton, Holiday Inn manager, said: “It’s fantastic, I can’t believe how many people are here.

“It’s such a brilliant cause.”

Other auction prizes included a week at a villa in Florida, donated by Luxury Villas to Rent, and boxing gloves signed by Amir Khan.