If we are to find better treatment and cures for Cancer we must continue to raise money to help the research and carers.

The very first North East Last Night of the Proms was staged in 1989 by George and Rosalynde Walker to thank Professor Stephen Proctor and his team at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne. The idea was for a one off concert and the monies raised from the sale of the tickets would be donated to the Marrow Transplant 2000 campaign. George asked Benjamin Luxon, the acclaimed Baritone, old friend and University colleague, if he would perform. Ben said that he would and the arrangements were made for an evening of music and song following the theme of the Last Night of the Proms at the Albert Hall.

The tickets sold very quickly and the night was a resounding success; it ended with cries from the audience of 'another night next year please'. So plans were made to put in place an annual event for the people of the North East and a way to raise money for Cancer Research at the RVI Hospital Newcastle. The Charity NEPAC (the North East Promenaders Against Cancer) was formed shortly after and is now proud to have Benjamin Luxon, Janice Cairns, Suzanne Manuell and Sir Thomas Allen as patrons.

In 1999 NEPAC celebrated its tenth anniversary with a special concert held on the 16th October. Over the last 14 years the Charity has raised over £750, 000 pounds which has been dispersed to cancer research, charities and hospices across the UK.