Eighty-five Manchester families have cooked up a tidy sum for Federation of Jewish Services' welfare projects from the charity's third annual Fed Friday appeal.

The idea is that families raise money by hosting a Friday night dinner and asking guests to make a donation to the Fed rather than buying the hosts a gift. Hosts also had the chance of winning a four-course catered Friday night dinner for 12 in a raffle.

Federation of Jewish Services marketing officer Joyce Khan said £5,000 had been raised with the prospect of more to come.

"We have a lot of people holding Fed Friday dinners on alternative dates. One Whitefield lady is hosting a mega seder at Pesach and another from Prestwich is holding three dinners."

Proceeds will go towards helping children with disabilities, mental health services and respite care for older people.