A record attendance of more than 570 – including dozens of local businesses – helped the region’s biggest annual charity dinner raise a record-breaking £78,000 for some of Teesside’s most disadvantaged families.
Held in the Grand Marquee at Wynyard Hall, Teesside Philanthropic Foundation’s Charity Ball featured a dinner, live band, dancing, auction and raffle.
Andy Preston, the charity’s founder and chairman, said: “The Foundation’s Charity Ball is Teesside’s social event of the year – and this was our biggest and best yet.
“That’s a good thing in itself but to raise life-changing amounts of money – every penny of which will stay right here on Teesside – is fantastic.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the way the companies and people of Teesside pull together to give such generous support to help their fellow Teessiders.”
Held in association with headline sponsors First Choice Labels, guests were entertained by local band Storm and surprise package The Singing Waiters, who inspired many to do the Conga and climb on their chairs for a napkin-waving rendition of Sweet Caroline.
One of the night’s highlights was a moving film about the short breaks the charity provides to some of Teesside’s most disadvantaged families at its two caravans near Filey.
The film inspired more generous donations amounting to more than £14,000 towards the running costs of the caravans.
Another Tees charity, the Finlay Cooper Fund, joined forces with the Foundation to purchase a second caravan for £35,000 last year, while many others made £1,000 donations to ensure more local families benefit from holidays that would be otherwise out of their reach.
Two auctions raised £26,500, with two winning bidders each getting a week-long stay in a 12-bed luxury Mallorcan villa for £4,500 each.
The auction also included a signed copy of a book by US president Donald Trump, Think Big and Kick Ass, that went for £800.
Other auction items were donated by Psyche, Small Luxury Hotels, Wynyard Hall, Porsche Centre Teesside, elite makeup artist Amanda Bell, Lucy Pittaway Gallery, Ramsdens, First Choice Labels, Café Lilli, Luxury Chauffeuring Services, Ecco Finishing Supplies, The Curing House, Henry Carden of Quiet Crown, Cornerstone Business Solutions, Ken Devereux, John Fraser, Carter Steel, Samantha Rye, Acklam Hall, Bulkhaul, Tees Business, Michael Cartright, Hannah Campion, Alison McKenna, Peter Davidson and Auto Executive.
A further £5,200 was raised through the sale of 260 raffle tickets priced £20 each with a prize guaranteed every time thanks to the support of dozens of local companies.
Co-Sponsors for the Wynyard Hall event were px Group, Barclays Middlesbrough were Entertainment Sponsors, Active Chartered Financial Planners were Wine Sponsors, AV Dawson were Programme Sponsors, Drinks Reception Sponsors were InBond and ItchyRobot were Auction Sponsors.
