Member Article

Entrepreneurs raise thousands for charity

Members and guests of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum raised a record-breaking amount at their fifth annual ball. The ‘Viva Las Vegas’ Ball helped raise £90,931 in aid of Maggie’s North East Cancer Caring Centre.

The Hilton Hotel Gateshead was taken to the glory days of Las Vegas with a Vegas style ‘Strip’- neon flashing lights, slot machines, playing card games and even a Vegas-style wedding chapel. Live entertainment throughout the evening was courtesy of Encore Vegas Show girls, a live piece band and a celebrity appearance from Diana Ross look-a-like Deanne Keane.

Lorna Moran, vice-chair and founding member of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, said: “I am overwhelmed by the generosity of our members and their guests for the phenomenal amount we managed to raise.

“In the area to be covered by Maggie’s North East, approximately 5,500 people will receive news of a cancer diagnosis every year. With the help and support of many of our members and guests from the wider business community this year’s ball has been a record-breaking event.”

On behalf of the Maggie’s charity, Sarah Beard said: “I enjoyed a wonderful evening at the brilliantly organised Viva Las Vegas Ball and I’m staggered at how much the Entrepreneurs’ Forum raised for us.

“Most charities are finding fund raising difficult in the current climate, so I’m thrilled with the amount raised and staggered at the generosity of the people attending this prestigious ball. It was a superb evening.”

Maggie’s, named after cancer sufferer Maggie Keswick Jencks, will be a state-of-the art centre, the seventh of its kind, all carefully designed by world renowned architects to create an uplifting centre.

Maggie’s North East will be built adjacent to the newly opened cancer centre at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle. The charity is currently exploring a number of design concepts with up and coming architects.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .