Almost £13,000 has been donated to charities that supported a family while their daughter underwent heart surgery.

Two charities have been presented with a total of £6,435.15 each after helping Freya McGill and her family while she received treatment at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.

The money raised during the ball was divided and given to Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in Liverpool and Manx charity Oskar’s Dreams/Remember Jade.

Both charities focus on supporting poorly children and their families.

The black tie charity event, which took place at the Palace Hotel in Douglas, included a three course meal, live music, a DJ, photo booth and tombola. Tickets were £45 each.

Nicola O’Connor, who is a friend of the young girl’s parents Voirrey and Pete McGill, was the organiser of ’Freya’s Fund Raiser’.

Nicola said: ’Voirrey and Pete lost a little girl six-and-a-half years ago and then have recently gone though another very hard time with their lovely little girl Freya who had to endure major heart surgery, only weeks old.

’I watched my friend going through so many painful challenges and wanted to do something positive to raise the awareness.

’I asked Voirrey and Pete if they would be happy for me to put together this event and we discussed the two charities that have played a huge part in the family’s lives.

’Ollie Steriopulos was my compere and DJ for the evening, Chris Winchester Band played live music, Boxed Off provided us with a photo booth.

’It was a fantastic evening with 105 people.’

Tombola prizes and sponsorship were given by Microgaming, Estera, PWC and Barclays.

B&B furniture store donated £7,500 worth of sofabeds are now stationed in 15 rooms at RMH.

Nicola continued: ’Freya had a lot of complex issues and it was RMH that supported Voirrey and her family with a home and safe place when faced with looking after their daughter, for the second time in their lives, whilst Freya was treated in Alder Hey Hospital.’

Freya had spent most of the first year of her life in the children’s hospital. It was RMH that had supported her parents by providing free accommodation.

The charity is celebrating its 25th anniversary. About 40% of the 32,000 families accommodated by the charity, have been from the Isle of Man.

Oskar’s Dreams/Remember Jade, a charity set up in 2006 that provides care and equipment for sick children in the island, also helped the McGill family.

The charity had donated a specialised car seat to enable Freya to move from hospital back home. The seat could lie flat and helped Freya with her breathing.

Nicola said: ’Freya will be two in August and is an incredible, strong, determined, beautiful little girl!’