Two mums inspired by the Aycliffe teenagers caught up in the Manchester terror attack have organised a fundraising event for the youngsters.
Collette Middleton and Julie Palmer decided to organise a raffle for best friends Laura Anderson (above left) and Millie Robson (above right) after reading about their Manchester Arena ordeal.
And they have been inundated with gifts from local businesses to go towards a raffle, which will help to raise money for the two Woodham Academy students, who suffered serious injuries during the attack at the Ariana Grande concert in May.
Collette and Julie have now organised a fundraising night at Aycliffe ‘Big Club’ on Friday July 28, from 7pm.
Local band Groovy Street will entertain guests, followed by a disco provided by Howie at Starlight Disco, while the raffle – with more than 35 prizes up for grabs, all donated by local businesses and people – will also be drawn on the night.
All money raised will be split equally between Millie and Laura, who will be attending the night with some of their family.
Collette said: “I remember watching the news all week after it happened and felt kind of helpless.
“As much as I can’t relate to what was going on, I kept thinking back to the amount of times I’ve dropped my daughter off at concerts, I was thinking this could have happened to so many people I know, including my daughter.
“I personally don’t know the girls I was just touched by what had happened to them and their response to it all.
“Julie organises a lot of raffles for local groups and we got together to organise one for Millie and Laura, and the idea just grew legs.
“As you can see from the list of raffle prizes, local people and businesses have been so generous, which has overwhelmed the girls and their parents.”
Tickets for the event on July 28 cost £5 and are available from the Big Club, or direct from Collette and Julie.
Raffle tickets costing £1 a strip can also be bought on the night or beforehand.
RAFFLE PRIZES
£200 Wheel refurb supplied by Aycliffe Tyres
Lawnmower, courtesy of Husqvarna
Portrait session on location supplied by Sophotogenic Photograpy worth £125
1 x Month’s membership for Crossfit Allout
£50 voucher for The County
£25 Voucher for the Cobblers Hall
Joey and Annie at home vouchers 1 x £20 and 1 x £10
Pony day with Nicola Ross – includes pick up, pony grooming, lunch and drop off
4 x Sunderland Dog’s tickets which includes entry, 2 x drinks and pie and peas
Fish and Chips for 2 from Simpasture Fisheries
Jason Scott bed head gift set
Screwdriver set and Metric spanner set from Workshop Supplies
1 Months free membership from Lifestyle fitness for 2 x people
£10 Hair voucher from Emre’s Barber shop
Reiki treatment from Monica Middleton
2 Cake Bouquets from Claire Heathcote
£20 beauty treatment from Helen Palmer Cuncliffe
Afternoon tea for 2 at Crafters Companion
£30 House of Fraser Voucher supplied by Protect Direct
£30 House of Fraser voucher supplied by Protect Direct Pest Control
£30 Hair voucher for Stephen Russel’s
Free cut and blow dry with Paige at The Worx
£20 Soap and Glory set supplied by Jacky Vasquez
Yankee Candle supplied by Occassions
£10 voucher supplied by Wilkinson’s
Siesta Coffee bag
Massage / relaxation gift bag
Selection of children’s books from Osborne Books supplied by Annemarie Clennell
3 x 1hour consultation and sports massage therapist with Sarah Hodgson
£50 Avon Hamper provided by Lyn Gartland
£60 Bodyshop Hamper
Drinks dispenser and wine
Manicure and Gel polish with Kirsty Walker
£20 beautiful you voucher
2 lots of x meal vouchers for 2 people for LBistro (Upstairs in the Phoenix Club)
2 x Voucher for Breakfast trials with Herbalife supplied by Jules Baxter
(There are also several bottles of spirits/wines, sweet hampers and still more to be confirmed).
