Pictured from left: Martin Brett and Graeme Brett, both Westoe Travel; Adam Harrop, Westoe customer; and Mark Henderson, DFDS regional sales manager.
A golf tournament and ball in memory of Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry – who lost their lives in 2017’s Manchester Arena bombing – have raised more than £33,000.
A golf day at South Shields Golf Club on Friday generated £3,600 and the Together Forever Ball at Hilton Gateshead on Saturday raised £29,794.
Chloe was an apprentice travel agent with Westoe Travel, South Shields, and had also worked part-time at the hotel.
Her boyfriend Liam had worked at the Hilton, which organised the ball for the second year running, to raise funds for the Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust.
Westoe Travel entered two teams for the golf day, in which players dressed in pink and blue to match the colours of the trust.
The golf day was organised by Paul Reed, the father of one of Chloe’s best friends and a supporter of the trust.
At the ball on Saturday, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham presented a cheque for £1,000, and the Millennium Bridge in front of the Hilton hotel was illuminated in pink and blue lights for the evening.
The mayor had run the Boston marathon in April to raise funds for charities set up by some of the families who lost loved ones in the Manchester Arena attack.
Graeme Brett, owner of Westoe Travel, said one of the hotel managers, Mike Wilkinson, is a trustee of the Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust, and described the efforts of the hotel staff as “fantastic”.
“Westoe Travel took a table for our staff and their partners to support the event but all credit is due to the Hilton staff who were close friends of both Chloe and Liam,” added Graeme.
“The support for the trust is unbelievable, with both events being sold out. The support for the charity is greatly appreciated by the families.
“The more money that is raised, the more young people can be helped to achieve their potential as a legacy of Chloe and Liam.”
The Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust gives grants and bursaries to young people to help them achieve their potential in sport and performance. More than £151,000 has been already been awarded in grants.
Forthcoming events that will raise more funds for the trust include the Colour Rush at Gosforth Park (June 15); a quiz night (July 19): a fundraiser to mark Chloe’s birthday (August 28); and another fundraiser to mark Liam’s birthday (December 14).
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