Burns Night festivities raise vital charity funds

A night of dancing and donations drummed up nearly £30,000 for charity.

NE Youth’s Annual Burns Night Ball summoned the spirit of Scotland’s favourite son to help the organisation continue its work with the next generation.

The evening was supported by financial planning and wealth management firm Perspective (North East) Ltd, with reeling and Highland dancing complementing the traditional piping and address of the haggis.

Guests were also able to bid on more than a dozen auction prizes – including use of Newcastle Racecourse boxes and British Open golf tickets – with £27,000 raised for Blaydon-based NE Youth, which provides a safe place for people between 11 and 25 to learn new life skills, meet friends and try different activities.

Ian Wilkinson, Perspective (North East) Ltd’s managing director, says: “It was a great pleasure to be lead sponsor of this fine evening, and we hope to be able to make an ongoing contribution to this fabulous charity, which faces a continual battle for funding.

“Having seen a reduction in Government funding of 96 per cent over the past ten years, it is testament to the team’s drive and ambition to succeed that the charity remains in existence and continues to deliver extremely valuable work for young people.