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A fundraiser for Bloorview Kids Foundation earlier this month raised over $350,000 for its respite care program.

"The event was a tremendous success with 175 guests who helped raise over $350,000 for The Emily Bigioni Respite Endowment Fund," said Bloorview spokesperson Nicole Watson.

The respite services at the Bayview and Eglinton avenues location provide families with short-term rest and relief from the physical and emotional demands of caring for a child with a physical and/or developmental disability.

Bloorview's respite programs provide both medical care and recreation activities for the child while parents take a break. According to Bloorview, demand for respite services outweighs the resources available to support families in need.

The fundraiser, featuring performer Gordon Lightfoot, was hosted by Sandra and Vito Bigioni, whose daughter Emily attends several of Bloorview's respite programs. The Bigioni's hoped to raise $1 million to help fund the programs.

Emily, 12, was born with a brain condition called pachygyria, which is similar to cerebral palsy. The young girl, who can't speak, has attended Bloorview programs for more than a decade.

The Bigioni family decided to organize a fundraiser after government funding had been cancelled for Emily's favourite March Break respite camp.