Held at The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts in Gateshead, the event celebrated the national football team’s only World Cup win in 1966, when they beat West Germany 4-2 in one of the tournament’s most memorable finals.
The evening was hosted by Sky Sports News presenter Pete Graves, who was joined on stage by guests of honour Sir Geoff Hurst MBE, 74, and Gordon Banks OBE, 78.
Over 200 guests listened to Banks and Hurst recall tales and anecdotes from England’s famous win, in which Hurst scored a hat-trick. He remains the only man in history to score a World Cup final hat-trick.
Attendees were given the chance to buy memorabilia from 1966 including replica signed shirts, balls and limited editions bottles of champagne designed specifically for the event.
The evening also included a silent auction and live auction, which included a replica of the original Jules Rimet trophy and Hurst is happy money raised on the night will make a difference to the Foundation’s appeal.
“The Percy Hedley Foundation does some fantastic work for children and adults with cerebral palsy in the North East and it’s nice to be able to help,” the former West Ham United and Stoke City striker said.
“What started as a group of parents in 1953 has grown into something quite remarkable that supports over 1,000 families each year.
“It’s a brilliant charity and it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Raising awareness is so important for charities because they are competing with thousands of others to raise money for great causes.”
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 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.
The event was supported in full by St. James’s Place Wealth Management, who bought tables and used the evening as an opportunity to entertain their partners.
Earlier this year, the wealth management group’s charity arm, The St. James’s Place Foundation, made a £1million donation to the Building Brighter Futures Appeal.
Event organiser from The Percy Hedley Foundation, Danny Mitchell, is delighted with the amount raised on the night.
“The night was a huge success and I’d like to thank everyone who attended for their generosity. The amount of money raised will give our Building Brighter Futures Appeal a huge boost.
“The event wouldn’t have been possible without the help of several companies who donated lots of gift in kind to make it possible; St. James’s Place Wealth Management, Shiremoor Press, Blue Kangaroo design, Climb Creative, Big Purple Productions, National football Museum and the Baltic.”