18th October 2010 - Entrepreneurs Rock Up £35k Charity Donation

Charitable entrepreneurs were pick of the pops this month as they donated an impressive £35,000 in one evening to boost the health of teenagers suffering from cancer across the North East. The fundraising has now swelled the amount raised by the Forum over the last seven years to an incredible £500,000.

The impressive total, in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust - a charity devoted to improving the lives of young people with cancer - was raised by members of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum at their latest annual charity ball. This year’s ball celebrated the very best in rock and pop history at the event, entitled “Teenage Kicks all Through the Night”, which was hosted by legendary music maestro and former Radio One veteran Mike Read.

Around 300 of the region’s business people and their guests gathered for the popular event, which was held for the seventh time at the Hilton Hotel in Gateshead. Guests were greeted with a Supernova champagne reception and a rock and pop themed menu to rival the culinary alchemist himself Heston Blumenthal!

And the generosity of guests throughout the evening – bidding for auction prizes and taking part in a series of themed games – led to the fantastic sum, which was added to the £50,000 raised by a group of the Forum members and associates who trekked to Everest Base Camp in May.

Guests were treated to a top notch bill of entertainment which spanned the many musical eras, with special guests OMD, who had fans old and new packed onto the dance-floor as they played out an array of their hits from a back catalogue spanning 30 years, including the hugely popular Enola Gay.

And through the strong music industry links Teenage Cancer Trust have, via their patron Roger Daltrey, brought tribute bands The Whodlums and The Acoustic Beatles, who also welcomed ex-Coronation Street actress Angie Lonsdale on stage to sing the Beatles classic ‘Something’.

Carole Beverley, CEO of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum said:

“Our charity ball always brings out the very best in our members and sponsors and I never cease to be amazed by the generosity which flows through the Forum. Given the tough economic times many in business are facing right now, I am overwhelmed by the exceptional giving of many of our members and their guests this year in helping us to raise this substantial amount for a very worthy charity. The charity has achieved so much in the North East and across the UK with its appeals and the monies raised from this event will go a long way towards funding the refurbishment of a new eight-bed unit at The Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

“I am delighted we have been able to support this amazing charity and I’d like to thank all those who came to help us this year. The grand total raised is superb and we know it will have a positive impact on the lives of so many teenagers here in the North East. We wish them much success with their continued fundraising.”

Angie Jenkison, Teenage Cancer Trust’s Regional Appeals Manager said

“We were thrilled the Entrepreneurs’ Forum chose Teenage Cancer Trust as their beneficiaries this year.

“Thanks to the generous donation from the Forum, we are well on our way to the £200,000 needed to fund our new eight-bed unit at The Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

I would like to say a huge thank you to all the people who donated auction prizes, all the guests who dug deep into their pockets and all the volunteers and staff of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum who helped pull the event together. This money will really make a huge difference to the lives of local young cancer patients.”