A sold-out fundraising evening at Saathi restaurant in Hexham has raised £7,000 for Daft As A Brush Cancer Patient Care, with Newcastle United memorabilia among the items that helped attract donations.
The event took place on Wednesday, August 26, at Saathi, with the restaurant’s owner, Titu Ahad, hosting the evening. John Rourke organised the fundraiser for the second year running after previously receiving support from the charity.
Banquet, music and 44-prize raffle
Guests were served an Indian banquet before live music from Shaun Fenwick. The evening also featured a raffle with 44 prizes donated by local businesses and individuals, giving attendees several ways to contribute beyond their tickets and dinner.
A live auction added to the fundraising total. Its most sought-after lots included a signed Newcastle United shirt from Dan Burn and a signed, framed photograph of the defender at the Carabao Cup final.
Other auction and raffle items included a Herdy hamper and a bespoke teddy bear commissioned with a Daft As A Brush neckerchief. Sean Conley, dealer principal at Wylam Garage, donated the signed shirt. Armstrong Watson contributed the Herdy hamper and a bottle of Norfolk whisky.
Fundraiser linked to personal experience
Mr Rourke arranged the evening after experiencing Daft As A Brush’s support first-hand. He received prostate cancer treatment at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital and was transported to and from radiotherapy appointments by the charity on 20 occasions.
Daft As A Brush Cancer Patient Care is a volunteer-led charity that provides free transport and support for cancer patients travelling to hospital appointments across the North East and Cumbria. The service is intended to help patients reach treatment without having to arrange or pay for transport themselves, according to the supplied report.
Andrea Glover, the charity’s chief executive, attended the Hexham event with members of its team. The fundraiser brought together the restaurant, charity representatives, guests, businesses and individuals who donated prizes or money.
Mr Rourke thanked Saathi, the people who attended and the businesses and individuals whose contributions helped make the evening a success. The £7,000 raised will support the cancer charity’s work providing transport and assistance to patients travelling to hospital appointments in the region.
The fundraiser was organised as an annual event, with Mr Rourke having arranged it for the second consecutive year. The report does not state whether a date has been set for another evening or explain how the money will be allocated between the charity’s services.