More than £65,000 was raised at a glitzy Christmas ball for North East charity The Percy Hedley Foundation.
Over 300 guests enjoyed the Foundation’s annual Mistletoe Ball at Newcastle Marriott Gosforth Park, which was hosted by BBC Radio Newcastle’s Anna Foster.
Money raised on the night will help the charity continue its pioneering work to help more disabled children, young people and adults achieve their ambitions and lead full and active lives.
The theme of the ball was ‘Winter Spectacular’ and guests enjoyed entertainment from Encore Dance Entertainment and party band ‘Foxx’, while vital funds were raised through table sales, a raffle, live auction and silent auction.
Prizes in the live auction included a Formula 1 experience at Silverstone, a private tour of the set of ITV soap Coronation Street and a dress from the wardrobe of former X-Factor judge Cheryl, donated by her mum, Joan Callaghan, who was in attendance on the evening.
The Percy Hedley Foundation’s Building Brighter Futures Appeal is currently raising money for a new lower school building, which is being built on the same site at Percy Hedley Upper School in Killingworth, North Tyneside.
The expansion will enable the Foundation, which won the Uniquely North East award at the 2016 North East Charity Awards, to provide vital education, therapy and support services for up to 200 children and their families in the North East. Money generated from the appeal is also supporting the transformation of one of the charity’s residential units into an 8-bed residence for young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities.
Maria Hallett, Community Fundraising and Events Manager at The Percy Hedley Foundation, said: “The Mistletoe Ball is a wonderful event to be involved in and the support of the companies that host tables and donate prizes is amazing.
“We always work really hard to stage a spectacular event and this year it really did live up to its name! A huge thank you to everyone that attended and helped us to build brighter futures.”