On the 24th January the Grand Hotel, Gosforth Park transformed into a wee bit of Scotland all in aid of NE Youth's Annual Burns Night Ball, proudly sponsored by Northern Garden Sheds.
Over 300 guests braved Storm Eowyn to raise a glass to Robbie Burns and raise as much funds as they could for NE Youthwho are celebrating their 90th anniversary across 2025.
Anna Foster, BBC presenter and NE Youth ambassador compered the evening, keeping everyone on track and ensuring they donated as much as possible across the night!
The evening started with a game of Heads and Tails, the Donna Kimberly School of Highland Dancing then gave a fabulous performance, getting everyone tapping their feet and excited for the Ceilidh later in the evening!
The Addressing of the Haggis is the more serious part of the evening when guests are taken back to 18th century Scotland- rumour has it that Burns came up with poem on the hoof during a dinner he was invited to! It was also the first poem Burns had published in 1786!
The food was of course a traditional threecourse Scottish feast which included Haggis, Neeps and Tatties- what else!
Over £18.5k was raised on the night- the auction featured some amazing prizes generously provided by local businesseswith all moneys raised going towards NE Youths work with young people. A huge thank you to all the businesses that donated prizes, including our sponsors Northern Garden Sheds, Vertu BMW, the Inn Collection Group, Ramside Estates, N. Blaine Ltd and The Grand Hotel to name but a few.
The Robert Whitehead band were in charge of getting everyone on the dance floor for the Ceilidh dancing… and the night ended with live music by the brilliant Storm Band.
Dave Clayton, Managing Director at the event sponsor Northern Garden Sheds, said: “This is our second year sponsoring NE Youths Burns Night Supper and we are delighted with the evening. To raise over £18k is incredible – so many more young people will be supported across their 90th year.”
Jon Niblo, Chief Executive of NE Youth, said: ‘Our Burns Night Ball has always been one of core fundraising events in the calendar- it has something for everyone whether that the reciting of Burn’s poetry, the piping in of the haggis, the energetic Ceilidh or fantastic live band and disco! NE Youth hope to raise 90k across 2025 to celebrate their 90th anniversary and support more young people. The needs of young people have certainly changed over the last nine decades but opportunities and services for young people have never been more in demand! I’d like to thank our main sponsors Northern Garden Sheds and all the businesses that donated to the auction. Our focus now shifts to our Gala Dinner at the Fed on the 10th April- ticket available via our website!’
If you can support NE Youths 90th campaign please contact: Jon Niblo, CEO at jon@neyouth.org.uk
www.neyouth.org.uk