A LEADING businessman has told of his determination to stage the most spectacular night the region has ever seen to raise funds for the charity which cared for his late father.
Ian Watson never had any cause to have contact with Marie Curie Cancer Care 10 years ago, yet today he sits on their developmental board, using his business acumen any way he can to help them.
The former corporate banker, who now runs Gateshead-based Hadrian Healthcare, was left distraught when his father, Ken Watson, was diagnosed with cancer 10 years ago at the age of 73, but was relieved he and his family could turn to Marie Curie.
Now, as he and entrepreneur Graham Wylie join forces to stage Fashion Match, a celebrity-packed fundraiser, he told how his family’s agony was eased by Marie Curie.
“As is so often the case, it’s not until you need a service that you appreciate it’s there and how special and necessary it is,” he said.
“My father Ken was a very keen worker. He was a retired NHS administrator, a past president of the Gateshead Rotary Club and he was involved in lots of community projects.
“He and my mother Hazel would invite children over from Belarus for a holiday, to give them a break from the problems they went through after the Chernobyl disaster – they kept in contact with the children too, often getting Christmas cards.
“And he was a regional amateur snooker champion who, at a different time of life, could have played professionally.
“I saw him play Ray Reardon, Dennis Taylor and John Spencer in his time, and in the 1980s and 90s he took part in exhibition matches with Dennis.
“Then, 10 years ago, he was diagnosed with secondary bone cancer. He passed away within three months.
“There were no symptoms and he didn’t even lose any weight.
“Thankfully, the Marie Curie Hospice gave us all the help we needed, and he passed away here.
“I’ve been on the developmental board for three years, helping to raise awareness and as much money as possible.
“The hospice is a charity so relies upon donations for its existence, and in addition to providing in-house palliative care, around 50,000 hours of care was provided for people in their own homes last year, all for free. It was difficult coming back here at first, but I’ve got over that, and it’s nice to keep his memory alive by working for them, which he would be proud of.”
Marie Curie will be one of three charities benefiting from the proceeds of Fashion Match on Friday, March 22, when sport and screen stars will come together in a luxury marquee at the Newcastle Falcons’ home at Kingston Park.
The other two charities are The Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF), which Close House Hotel and Golf owner Graham Wylie helps after the unit saved his three-year-old daughter Kiera’s life, and the Chefs Adopt a School Charity.
On the evening itself, some 650 guests will be entertained by host Bobby Davro, with music from former Spandau Ballet front man Tony Hadley and his band.
Celebrities, including TV presenter Ben Shephard and players past and present of Newcastle United, the Newcastle Falcons and Durham County Cricket Club, will also strut their stuff down the catwalk, modelling clothes from fashion retailer Cruise. The food is also being given the celebrity treatment, with a menu by Terry Laybourne cooked by 12 top chefs.
Phenomenal auction prizes will be available on the night, including a prize draw to win a Porsche by guessing the key combination; a Bentley for the weekend; a week in a penthouse apartment in Marbella; exclusive use of Close House Hotel; and a weekend in London including a night’s stay at the Mayfair Hotel, QPR v Newcastle tickets and VIP table at the exclusive Movida night club.
