About us

Background

The very first North East Last Night of the Proms was staged in 1990 by George and Rosalynde Walker to thank Professor Stephen Proctor and his team at the Royal Victoria Infirmary(RVI), Newcastle upon Tyne. The starting point was simple: a one off North East version of the Last Night of the Proms and to donate the funds raised to the Marrow Transplant 2000 campaign. George asked Benjamin Luxon, the acclaimed baritone, old friend and university colleague, if he would perform. 

The tickets sold very quickly and the night was a resounding success ending with cries from the audience of 'another night next year please'. So began an annual event for the people of the North East to raise money for Cancer Research at the RVI Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne.

The Charity NEPAC  (North East Promenaders Against Cancer) was formed shortly after and is now proud to have Benjamin Luxon, Janice Cairns, Sir Thomas Allen, Suzanne Manuell and Bradley Creswick as Patrons. Since then, supporters and the families of those who have benefited have held a range of events which all contribute to work to combat cancer and improve treatments and survival rates.

For 20 years NEPAC  has annually donated over £50,000 to cancer research teams at the RVI and patient support groups e.g. Care organisations and Hospices etc. in the North East of England. A large portion of the donation goes to Marrow Transplant 2000, the blood related cancer research groups headed by Professor Steve Proctor at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, but NEPAC  has also helped prostate and bladder cancer, breast cancer and skin cancer research.

 

NEPAC  is a voluntary organisation comprising of the registered Charitable Trust and a limited company responsible for fundraising and organising the events. Without the voluntary support NEPAC  would not be able to ensure that nearly 100% of all the money raised is donated to charitable causes.

 

Our regular performers include :

  • Janice Cairns
  • Suzanne Manuell
  • Blake Fischer
  • Bradley Creswick
  • Anthony Seddon

 

Over the last 20 years we have had a great number of musicians and singers perform at our events including:

  • Benjamin Luxon CBE
  • Sir Thomas Allen
  • Rachel Luxon
  • Jonathan Lemalu
  • Sam McElroy
  • James Cleverton

 

 

Sir Thomas Allen
Benjamin Luxon CBE Sir Thomas Allen
 

 

Rosalynde Walker and John Thompson of NEPAC presenting a cheque for £10,000 to Alan Shearer as part of NEPAC's support for Crawford House Sick Children's Trust.

The NEPAC  Charitable Trust  is a Board of 4 members responsible for the management of the Trust fund and the administration of donations.

 

Trust Board Members :

  • Peter Judge, One NorthEast (Chairman)
  • John Thompson, Retired
  • Roxanne Walker, Rural England
  • Peter Willey, Accountant

 

NEPAC  Ltd

A limited company responsible for the organisation of 4 charitable events each year, fundraising, sponsorship and general administration.

 

Managing Director : Rosalynde Walker

Directors  (voluntary):

  • Marc Walker, BT Global Services
  • John Hutton, Creative Art and Design Ltd
  • Ros Croucher, Retired
  • Ian Newton, Retired
  • Craig Lisle, NHS Trust
  • Polly Tailford

 

Patrons

NEPAC  is very privileged to have the following people as our Patrons:

  • Benjamin Luxon CBE
  • Janice Cairns
  • Sir Thomas Allen
  • Suzanne Manuell
  • Bradley Creswick