To celebrate St Patrick’s Day on Saturday 17th March 2007, the North East Irish Culture Network at the University of Sunderland held a Charity Ball at the prestigious Ramside Hall Hotel.

The black tie event was a tremdous success, raising almost £4,000 that will be donated to St Benedict’s Hospice in Sunderland and St Clare's Hospice in South Tyneside.

The Ball was attended by a variety of guests, including Middlesborough footballers Julio Arca and Arnau Riera, Professor Peter Fidler, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Sunderland and Richard Younger-Ross MP.

Following reception drinks, guests were welcomed by the Chair of the Ball Professor Flavia Swann, Dean of the School of Arts, Design, Media and Culture at the University of Sunderland. Before dinner was served, guests enjoyed an awe inspiring demonstration of Irish dancing by Charlotte Westray, Katy Bennett and Simone Hesketh, all of whom are Irish dance champions.

After a delicious three course meal, the guest speaker, Richard Younger-Ross MP, enthralled the audience with tales about St Patrick's Day. However, on a more serious note, Richard also spoke about his and his family's personal experiences of St Clare's Hospice and the amazing work both hospices provide.

Professor Dan Klein opened the auction to some frantic bidding. A variety of auction items were on offer, ranging from signed football shirts, a Croft car racing experience and even the hire of a Mercedes Benz for the weekend. The top selling auction item went under the hammer for £300 and the winning bidder will enjoy luxury first class train travel to London to indulge in tea for two at the House of Commons with Dari Taylor MP.

After the wallets and purses had been drained and the raffle drawn, the ceilidh band took to the stage and the guests took to the dancefloor to twirl and dance in true Irish style.

To view more images of the Ball click here.

The Ball organisers wish to thank all the companies, individual donations and guests for their generous support that has made it possible to donate almost £4,000 to St Clare's and St Benedict's hospices.

Empire Theatre Sunderland
Julio Arca
Lord David Puttnam
Lumley Castle
Marriott Gosforth Park Hotel
Mercedes Benz of Newcastle
Metro Radio
Museum and Winter Gardens
NewcastleGateshead
Pat and John Walker