Member Article

Oyster Festival Raises £27,000 for Marie Curie

More than 1,200 people from local businesses gathered at the 12th annual North East Oyster Festival to help raise vital funds for Marie Curie - the UK’s leading charity for people living with any terminal illness, and their families.

The Irish-themed event, organised by Ramside Estates, took place on Friday September 25 at the Rugby World Cup Fanzone, Science Central, Newcastle and included a champagne reception and three course fruit de mer dinner.

Live entertainment ran throughout the afternoon, including performances by Al Murray; Martha Reeves and the Vandellas; the Red Hot Chilli Pipers; the Dublin Raiders; and the JJ Galway Band.

The sale of tables, together with a silent auction, raffle and donations on the day helped raise £27,000 for Marie Curie’s North East Nursing Services and the Newcastle Hospice.

Lisa Wilson, Marie Curie’s Fundraising Manager for the North East said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to John Adamson and Ramside Events; the Marie Curie Hospice Development Board Members; Al Murray – the first person to make a donation on the day - and to everyone that pledged money and was involved in helping to raise such a fantastic figure.

“This money will fund the running costs of the Marie Curie Hospice, Newcastle for four days supporting people with a terminal illness and their families here in the North East.”

John Adamson, Director of Ramside Estates, said: “This was the first time in the North East Oyster Festival’s 12 year history that it has been held anywhere other than Hardwick Hall Hotel. Taking the event on tour was a huge success and I’m delighted that our attendees helped raise such an amazing sum for Marie Curie.”

Thirty volunteers from the Department for Work and Pensions, together with volunteers from the Newcastle Building Society turned up in force to support Marie Curie staff at the North East Oyster Festival 2015.

They helped to ensure the fundraising raffle ran smoothly and played a fundamental role in encouraging guests to ‘dig deep’ throughout the evening. The raffle alone contributed £8,500 to the overall total raised.

Kyla Collins, Marie Curie’s Partnership Manager for the North said: “We were absolutely delighted to have support from DWP and the Newcastle Building Society and were impressed with the team’s professionalism and positivity which had a huge impact on the amount of money raised that evening.”

Jackie Delaney, DWP’s Volunteer Manager for the North East added: “What a fabulous result. Our staff had a great time getting involved in supporting Marie Curie and we were delighted to be invited to play a part in such a prestigious and worthwhile event.”

Following the recent launch of a two-year agreement between Marie Curie and Procter and Gamble, the organisation kindly donated a series raffle prizes for the event.

Marie Curie is now looking to work with more local companies to build unique partnerships that play to the strengths of individual businesses, meet company goals and engage staff.

Organisations can become involved with Marie Curie through a series of activities, including employee fundraising and volunteering, staging corporate events and challenges, supporting annual appeals, donating money, goods or services and payroll giving.

Partnering with Marie Curie – a national charity that reaches the heart of local communities here in the North East - allows businesses to: • develop staff’s skills, including communication, teamwork, time management and more • increase customer loyalty • attract, motivate and retain employees • increase brand awareness • increase sales by associating new products and services with a good cause • help integrate with local communities

If you’re interested in finding out more about becoming a corporate partner and how your company could work with Marie Curie then please contact Kyla Collins at kyla.collins@mariecurie.org.uk or on 07876148774.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sorted PR .