A CHARITY night celebrating all things “Geordie” together with a celebrity golf day has raised much-needed funds to help with the care costs for a close friend of North-East icon Tim Healy.

The inaugural Tim Healy Celebrity Classic was held recently to help the family of Dave Whitaker who now needs constant care after suffering a stroke in 2012.

The event, at the MacDonald Linden Hall Golf and Country Club in Northumberland, welcomed celebrities including Adam Gillen who plays Tim’s son in Benidorm, snooker legend Willie Thorne, former IBF World Cruiserweight Champion Glenn McCrory, Game of Thrones actor Clive Russell several former footballers.

Entertainment on the night included comedian Steffen Peddie, magician and escapologist Chris Cross, and ex-Lindisfarne frontman Billy Mitchell.

Mr Healy said: “I’m really humbled that so many people have dug deep into their pockets to help my good pal.

“I’d like to personally thank everyone who has helped in any way.”