SOUTH Tyneside singer Lauren Waine was among the performers at a memorial event for the late David Rathband.
The charity event raised funds for the Blue Lamp Foundation, a charity set up by the late police officer to help those, like him, injured in the line of duty.
Lauren, 17, of Whitburn, had been asked to sing at the event, held at Newcastle’s Gosforth Park Marriott hotel, by Pc Rathband prior to his death a year ago last month.
The police officer was shot and blinded by rogue gunman Raoul Moat in 2010.
The shooting happened during a huge manhunt for the 37-year-old after he shot his ex-girlfriend Samantha Stobbart and killed her new partner, Chris Brown.
Lauren, named as young performer of the year at the 2011 Pride of South Tyneside Awards, said: “It was fabulous.
“The event was massive. There were showgirls and loads of different people performing. It was a real honour to be asked to sing.
“I had met David at the Pride awards when I won young performer and he asked me then if I would perform at this event.
“It was quite emotional on the night. He was such a lovely man, so it meant a lot to perform for him.”
Former radio presenter Paul ‘Goffy’ Gough was also at the event.
He said: “I’d met David a few times, and I hosted his first Blue Lamp Foundation event at Ramside Hall in Durham.
“We were at the Pride of South Tyneside awards when Lauren was crowned young performer, and when he heard her sing, he was raving about her.
“He organised there and then for her to sing at this second event, which sadly he didn’t make it to.
“The feedback from Lauren’s performance has been fantastic, though.
“Everyone thought she was brilliant, and I know she really enjoyed herself.”
For more about the charity, go to www.bluelamp-foundation.org
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