South Tyneside night of glamour to raise charity cash

Sara Rutherford, from Hebburn, has been holding a girls’ night in at her home for several years to raise cash for Macmillan Cancer Support.

However, this year she took things a step further with a charity evening at Hebburn Sports Club.

This year, with the help of fellow organisers, Kayleigh McLean and Carly Shepherd, it was a big glamorous event and all the women who took part had to wear white.

Sara, a secondary school teacher, said she is a huge fan of the television show The Real Housewives of Beverley Hills, so she wanted this year’s fundraising event to be on that theme.

The 45-year-old, said: “I’m not sure why I chose that, I just love the show.

“I decided instead of a girls’ night in, we would have a girls’ night out. It took a lot more organising, but it was a really good event.

“We had about 80 people taking part this year. We are thinking about what theme we will go for next year.”

The charity night, which included live entertainment and raffles, managed to raise more than £1,500 for Macmillan.

Sara said: “I have a few family members who have had cancer and the charity is one which is close to my heart.”

Over the past few years Sara has raised more than £1,700 for Macmillan by holding the girls’ night in events at her home.

She said: “In the past we have had a murder mystery night, a go green for Macmillan night and a James Bond night.”

The fund-raiser said she wanted to thank everyone in Hebburn who supported the latest venture, including all the businesses who donated great prizes for the raffles.

She said: “Everyone was very generous and so supportive.”