Business owners from around the region helped raise over £12,000 at the Mayor of Pendle's charity event.

The evening was organised in conjunction with the ABF and aimed to Celebrate Business Success.

There was a welcome by ex-leader of Pendle Borough Council, Azhar Ali before messages of support by Coun Mohammed Iqbal, Sajad Butt and Khalid Saifullah.

Speaking on the night the President of the Chamber of Commerce Sajad Butt urged young people to wake up because many of the challenges faced by the elder community had paved the way for them. He said, "Members of our elder community had to face so many barriers and when I talk to young folk who need motivation I ask one thing. If those who came before you could do it, in the face of adversary, what is the matter with you?"

A charity auction later in the evening began slowly but then turned into a bidding war. Over £12,000 was raised within half-an-hour as generous business owners from Pendle and Burnley pledged over £1,000 at a time. The money will go towards helping the Neo-natal unit at Burnley General and Multiple-Schlerosis society in Pendle.

Khalid Saifullah of the ABF added, "I was overwhelmed by the level of support we got from businesses on the night.

"Although the event symbolised the strength in economic activity in Pendle, many businesses relayed many of the problems they were facing in the area.

"The ABF will be forming a local business partnership to tackle some of the issues faced by businesses."

Mayor of Pendle Counc Iqbal said, "I want to thank all the businesses who helped raise that monumental figure. I also want to thank the ABF for their support in helping organise the event."