Success for North East Last Night of the Proms

Oct 20 2008 by Kim Carmichael, The Journal

A CHARITY concert celebrating all things British has been hailed a huge success. Organisers of the North East Last Night of the Proms, which was held at Newcastle City Hall on Saturday night, have said that this year’s performance was the best in the event’s 19-year history.

The concert, which was virtually sold out, raised thousands of pounds for cancer-related research, charities and hospices.

The event was launched in 1989 by George and Rosalynde Walker as a way of saying thank-you to the medical staff at the RVI who had treated George for the blood cancer non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Yesterday Rosalynde, of The North East Promenaders Against Cancer (Nepac) group, which hosts the event, said: “This year was the best ever. We are going from strength to strength.

“The venue was packed and the atmosphere was electric. Everyone has an absolutely fantastic time.”

The evening was subject to a last-minute hitch, however, when tenor Blake Fischer contracted chicken pox and was unable to perform.

Luckily, singer Ben Kerslake was able to step-in and save the day.

“In the 19 years we’ve been doing this, nobody has ever had to drop out,” added Rosalynde.

“When we found out on Tuesday that Blake couldn’t make it, we had a bit of a rush trying to find a replacement, but it worked out well in the end.”

The line-up, which saw the large, enthusiastic crowd waving a sea of Union flags, included a stunning performance from Northumberland-born soprano Janice Cairns, as well as the English Philharmonic Orchestra and Ryton, Hexham and Bishop Wearmouth Choral Societies.

It is hoped that this year the organisation will be able to reach the remarkable £1m fundraising milestone.