AN evening with TV personality Rick Wakeman netted an impressive £11,000 for the Palliative Care East appeal. More than 300 people filled Gorleston's Ocean Room on Saturday, November 1, to enjoy his music and humour.

AN evening with TV personality Rick Wakeman netted an impressive £11,000 for the Palliative Care East appeal.

More than 300 people filled Gorleston's Ocean Room on Saturday, November 1, to enjoy his music and humour.

The fun-filled evening came about after local businessman Ian McCreadie - a patron of the James Paget's Palliative Care East appeal - along with Rotarians Ian Thomson and Mike Muskett came up with the idea of hosting a charity ball.

It soon became clear to Ian that organising such an event would take a lot of planning and work and with the help of Rotarians he got the fundraising ball rolling.

After finding a suitable venue Ian managed to secure Rick Wakeman and Elvis Presley tribute band the Blue Sueders, with lead guitarist Ted Witton to perform on the evening.

The atmosphere was buzzing, a mood enhanced by the sound of keyboard player Rick Wakeman. Many will remember him as a member of the group Yes and more recently from his appearances on the BBC programme Grumpy Old Men.

During the evening money was raised from a raffle, auction and the old favourite of Haven Rotary Heads and Tails.

The star's appearance was sponsored by local businesses the Long Bar and Screen Print Plus.

Organiser Ian said: “I would like to thank the Blue Sueders who gave their services free, the Palliative Care East team helpers and all those who attended to make this evening such a success.”

Appeal co-ordinator Jenny Westgate said the Rotary club had done a tremendous job in raising the fantastic amount of money.

She said: “I would like to thank the club for all their efforts and in particular to Ian McCreadie who organised the event together with other businesses.”

The Palliative Care East Appeal received yet another vital boost this week with the presentation of £30,000 from local company Gardline Shipping.

The company is sponsoring one of nine rooms in the centre in memory of its late founder George Darling.

Pictured are managing director of Gardline Shipping Mervyn Wooltorton and Mr Darling's wife Meriel presenting the cheque to hospital trust chairman John Hemming and Dr Jenny Mallion, specialist palliative care doctor with the James Paget.

The donation from Gardline is one of a string of significant presentations made to the appeal recently.

Donations can be sent by post to the James Paget Healthcare NHS Trust Palliative Care Appeal, Palliative Care Team, Lowestoft Road, Gorleston, NR31 6LA. Cheques should be made payable to Palliative Care East.

Donations can be made online at www.palliative-care-east.org.uk