South Shields mum turns passion for events into business

Rachel McKeith organised a free event for those affected by the South Shields Day Trip saga in a bid to try to boost spirits, after holidays they’d paid for came to nothing.

The event led the 37-year-old onto a career path she had never thought of before.

After starting out by launching Characters R Here – which hires out children’s characters – she has now began to branch out into event organising after receiving rave reviews for her work on her sister’s wedding.

Her new firm is called One Stop Events.

Miss McKeith, from Biddick Hall, South Shields, said: “When I put together the event for the South Shields Day Trip victims, it really ignited my passion for organising events.

“I started to save up so that I could buy costumes and supplies.

“I was going to stick to the characters and supply those to events, but then, after my sister asked me to help organise her wedding and I received lots of positive feedback, I decided to go one step further and launch an events company.

“I’m trying to merge the two businesses together.

“I’ve only been going for about a month, but I’ve had loads of inquiries from people who have heard about what I do through word of mouth.”

Miss McKeith, who also works part-time as a carer, has been supported on her project by South Shields company Personalised Touches, in Stanhope Road.

She added: “I’ve been very surprised as to how quickly things have taken off, but I couldn’t have done it without the help of at Personalised Touches and family members.”

One Stop Events offers the full event package from balloons, characters and room dressage.

Miss McKeith will be hosting a market on Sunday at the Neon Social Club, in Iona Road, Jarrow from noon until 3pm.

The event will feature stalls selling a variety of items with one stall having donated goods from each stall holder on sale, which will raise cash for a good cause.

For more details, contact Miss McKeith via her Facebook page One Stop Shop or call 07835067183