BUSINESSMEN from the region are to support their local hospice at a fund raising dinner.

The Gentlemen’s Dinner, which has raised over £40,000 for St Cuthbert’s Hospice is now in its fifth year. This year, it will be held at the Ramside Hall Hotel, near Durham City on Friday May 9. So far, 140 of the 200 available places have been reserved.

Businessman and trustee at St Cuthbert’s, Kevin Whitfield, said: “The Gentlemen’s Dinner for St Cuthbert’s Hospice is now a very important part of the business calendar in County Durham.

“I am passionate about St Cuthbert’s. It is a community hospice, looking after local people. I really think it is an incredible place and it seems many other businesspeople agree.”

Mr Whitfield, who runs Wellsprings Properties in Meadowfield, added:

"Even in what have been tough economic times, our business community in County Durham has never stopped playing its part for the hospice. Many of us run family businesses and we treat our staff as extended families. As such, we constitute a unique network across our county that has deep roots in the community.

“We therefore hear how St Cuthbert’s is constantly going the extra mile for local people. That’s why our Gentlemen’s Dinner is a continuing success. We want to support a wonderful organisation which is supporting the people of our area, year in year out.”

Tickets are available at £50 a head, £500 for a table of ten.

The evening is hosted by Willie Miller and includes comedy from Yorkshire comedian Mike Farrell. The event was originally organised in response to the Ladies’ Lunch and Midnight Walk hospice fundraisers, which are aimed at women.

Paul Marriott, chief executive of St Cuthbert’s Hospice, said: “The Gentlemen’s Dinner is a lot of fun and is very important in our fundraising calendar. The business community has always dug deep for us and we are incredibly grateful to every single gentleman who attends what is a really great event.”