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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),
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; ending
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 and Sir Thomas Allen as patrons.
In 1999 NEPAC
celebrated its tenth anniversary with a special concert held on
the 16th October. Since its beginnings in 1989 the Charity has raised
over £800, 000 pounds which has been dispersed to cancer related
research, charities and hospices across the UK.
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