THE distinctive voice of a 90s icon helped to raise £22,000 for charity.

Heather Small entertained the 430 guests at the marquee event at Rockliffe Hall who all dug deep for the Graham Wylie Foundation.

A raffle and silent auction was held with luxurious prizes including tickets to the US Masters 2018 in Augusta, with accommodation; Private Dining for ten people at Gordon Ramsay’s Maze restaurant in Mayfair; a 5 star Opera break in Prague; a luxury 5 star African Safari break and a holiday in Bali.

Eamonn Elliott, the luxury hotel’s chief executive, said: “The event was a massive success and I’m delighted that everyone was so generous on the night, helping us raise £22,000 for The Graham Wylie Foundation.

“As soon as the music started, everyone was up on the dance floor and the Heather Small’s drummer got so carried away one of his drumsticks went flying. We’ve still got it here at the hotel as a momento.”

The Graham Wylie Foundation is a pioneering children’s charity which aims to raise millions for deserving causes across the North East. Mr Wylie, the founder of Sage and one of the region’s best known entrepreneurs, pledges that 100 per cent of all donations will go to the charity, as he personally meets all running, staffing and administration costs.

The money will go towards the Foundation’s drive to raise funds to purchase an Echo machine for Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital. The £51,000 machine will allow additional support to babies and children in peripheral clinics and out of hours, without having to travel to Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.