A SOCIAL event headlined by pop star Gabrielle raised a record amount for charity.

Ramside Estates, which organised the 15th annual North East Oyster Festival at Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, last month has announced it made £36,600 for Butterwick Hospice Care.

The Stockton-based charity supports people with progressive life-limiting illnesses and their families.

Fundraising manager Jo Wallis said: “We are more grateful than we can say. We have been the event’s chosen charity for several years and the generosity of those who attend the festival never ceases to amaze us– thank you to each and every person who helped raise this spectacular sum.”

Gabrielle, the voice behind 1990s classics such as Dreams, was supported by North East band Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, Irish musicians Emerald Thieves and the JJ Galway Band with comedian Steve Walls compering.

The event and sponsored by Great Annual Savings Group and other local and national businesses and included a Champagne reception, three-course fruits de mer menu, oyster stalls and complimentary lager, beer and wine.

John Adamson, director of Ramside Estates, said: “It was a fantastic night and definitely one of our best yet. A vast amount of hard work goes in to producing an event on the scale on the Oyster Festival but seeing everyone have such a great time and knowing that the money it raises will go straight to help people families in the area, makes it all very worthwhile.”