Flash mob does the conga to tune of £500

Nov 17 2007 by Audrey Barton, The Journal

SCORES of people descended on Newcastle city centre yesterday to take part in a “flash mob” event raising money for the BBC’s Children In Need appeal.

Hundreds of people who had been contacted by the organisers of the flash mob – where the internet and email are used to bring together a large group of people to perform an unusual event in a public place – came together at Haymarket Metro Station before they silently formed a line and broke into a carnival-style conga. They snaked their way down Newcastle’s busy Northumberland Street to the amusement and bewilderment of shoppers, gathering revellers as they went, and by the time they reached the bottom, the numbers had swelled to over 100.

Collectors for Children in Need wearing fancy dress, including Spider-Man and angels, joined the flash mob which was organised by North-East digital agency TH_NK. Organiser and web designer Brandon Stewart, 26, who led the conga, said the event has so far raised £500 for Children In Need.

He said: “I only came up with idea a week ago and we advertised it on Facebook so I’m impressed with the turnout.

“We had about 60 people respond on Facebook and the girls out collecting came as well, so it was great. It was a quick event to organise.”

In true flash mob style, they disappeared as quickly as they appeared within moments of finishing. Elsewhere in the region, staff at Northumbria University’s Castles restaurant raised more than £1,500 for Children In Need with a mixture of raffles, a giant tombola, and donation buckets in the restaurant.

And accountants at PricewaterhouseCoopers spent the day in fancy dress to raise funds, as well as holding a tea and cake sale.

Senior partner Paul Woolston said: “I am delighted so many of our staff members have got into the spirit to raise funds for such a great cause.”