A charity ball will be the pick of the pops next month as generous North East entrepreneurs and guests dig deep for Teenage Cancer Trust.

Members of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum will be celebrating the very best in rock and pop history at the “Teenage Kicks all Through the Night” gala ball, hosted by legendary music maestro Mike Read.

Over the last seven years the Forum has raised a total of £415,000 at its annual charity balls.

The latest – at the Gateshead Hilton Hotel on October 9 – is in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity devoted to improving the lives of young people with cancer.

Geordie X-Factor winner Joe McElderry, who is an ambassador for Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “The charity has achieved so much in Newcastle and across the UK with its fundraising appeals.”

The ball, which will feature 80s synth band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, will raise funds for a new eight-bed unit at The Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, to care for young cancer patients aged 18-24 from across the North East and surrounding areas.

Guests will enjoy a rock star experience at the ball, with VIP service, a champagne supernova reception and a Pop Pickers auction.

Many rock and pop rarities will up for grabs including a signed Roger Daltrey Freshman acoustic guitar and a signed mic used by the singer on his last Who tour, wine from Cliff Richard’s personal vineyard signed by the artist, meet and greet Paul Weller, a day in a recording studio and the ultimate rock and roll Access All Areas weekend, staying in the Sanctum Soho Rock Hotel.

Expected to generate the most interest, however is an image by Beatles photographer and friend Jürgen Vollmer of John Lennon's famous doorway pose, signed by the artist.

Entertainment will be provided by the Acoustic Beatles, The Whodlums and OMD, breaking from their tour of the UK and Europe and performing as special guests on the evening hits from a back catalogue spanning 30 years including "If You Leave" and "Maid of Orleans".
Former Radio One veteran Mike, known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of popular music, will MC the evening and test guests’ knowledge of old rock and pop favourites from the 70s and 80s.

He is Radio One’s longest-serving breakfast show host and has won ten Broadcaster of the Year Awards. He is also a poet and a performer and composer of stage musicals, famously playing the title role in Cliff: The Musical!, which he also wrote.

His broadcasting career began on a local radio station in Reading, where he co-hosted with Steve Wright, before going on to Radio Luxembourg then Radio One, where he hosted the breakfast show for five years. 

He later moved to Capital Gold and was subsequently heard on Jazz FM and Classic FM.
Mike’s television work includes hosting the long-running Saturday Superstore, Top of the Pops and Pop Quiz.

A prolific songwriter himself, his work has been recorded by Cliff Richard, Justin Hayward, Chris Rea and Steve Harley. He has written several volumes of poetry, a biography of Rupert Brooke, two crime novels and numerous books about the charts.

Chief Executive of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum Carole Beverley said: “Teenage Cancer Trust is a fantastic charity striving to make life better for young people in our region, believing that teenagers shouldn’t stop being teenagers because they have cancer. 

“Usually placed on a children’s ward or with elderly patients, young people often feel very isolated when facing a cancer diagnosis. Teenage Cancer Trust units allow young people to be treated with others their own age, in an environment suited to their needs.”

Carole added: “Our charity ball always brings out the very best in our members and sponsors who never fail to amaze me with their exceptional altruism. We are delighted to be able to support Teenage Cancer Trust this year and hope to raise another huge sum to help fund their incredible work.”

Tickets for the ball, which start from £1,000 +VAT for a table of ten or £100 +VAT per person, can be booked by calling 0870 8502233 or emailing info@entrepreneursforum.net