OVER £12,000 has been raised to help young people in Hartlepool thanks to the generosity of local people and businesses.
The Gus Robinson Foundation enjoyed its first ever Annual Ball, a black tie event, at Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield, with around 300 guests in attendance.
The glittering gold-themed event included live music, an auction which offered the opportunity to bid for a signed England shirt from Paul Gascoigne, VIP Manchester United tickets, a chance to be a Director for the day at Hartlepool United FC and a 5-star cottage weekend break.
Judith Robinson, Foundation Trustee, said: “We were overwhelmed with the support the event got. It was an absolutely wonderful evening, and everyone had a fantastic time. Our Managing Director Steve Bell managed to get people to dig deep and bid for some fantastic auction prizes and we are so grateful to everyone who came along and gave generously.
“It was a sell-out event and people were actually back in touch with us first thing Monday morning to book extra tables for next year! So I guess we will be doing it all again in 2017!”
The ball was the first for the charity which was set up last year in memory of well-known late businessman Gus Robinson by his son Dan.
The Foundation aims to support young people from more deprived backgrounds in their pathway to successful careers, be that in engineering, academic studies or sports in the form of scholarships or bursaries based on their hard work and achievements.
Many fundraising activities took place throughout the night, including an envelope draw to win a sunshine break to Spain and a tombola, and more than £12,000 was raised from the event.
Judith added: “We are so grateful to everyone who attended as well as those who donated prizes to help us raise such a phenomenal amount of money.
“I’d also like to thank the committee of Jeanette Henderson, Marie Richardson, Barbara Robinson, Terry Hanlon and Samantha Lee for their help in arranging the event and ensuring it went so smoothly on the night.
“It was a huge success considering this was the first time we have arranged anything like this. Everyone looked so amazing in their bow ties and ball gowns, the bar has definitely been set high for any future events!”