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left to right: Brian Fortuna (Danny Cassidy), Sarah Jane Buckley (Eva Cassidy), Maureen Nolan (Barbara Cassidy), Judith Graziani (proprietor of Franco's Terrace Bar and Restaurant), Steve Burbridge (Public Relations Officer, Theatre Productions Limited)
On a damp and drizzly lunchtime in Jesmond, the cast and crew of a hit musical gathered at a local restaurant and invited fifty guests to join them for an afternoon of fund-raising, food and fabulous entertainment in a place ‘where troubles melt like lemon drops’.
To coincide with the seventh sensational UK tour of the award-winning and compelling musical, Over The Rainbow: The Eva Cassidy Story, which journeys through Eva’s tragically short life, Franco’s Terrace Bar & Restaurant in association with Theatre Productions Limited held an exclusive VIP Charity Lunch to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support on Wednesday 12th October
Amongst the guests were Maureen Nolan (The Naked Truth, Blood Brothers and The Nolans) who plays the role of Barbara Cassidy in Over The Rainbow: The Eva Cassidy Story. And, Sarah Jane Buckley (Hollyoaks), who heads the cast as Eva. Strictly Come Dancing sensation Brian Fortuna, who makes his eagerly-anticipated acting debut as Danny Cassidy in the show, and other members of the company also met and mingled with guests and took time to pose for snapshots and sign autographs.
Also in attendance were two of the North East’s most familiar and favourite faces. Pam Royle and Ian Payne, from ITV Tyne Tees, took time out from the hustle and bustle of the North East Tonight newsroom to lend their support to this worthy cause.
A charity raffle was drawn during the event and several lucky guests won fabulous prizes from a selection of luxury goods which were kindly donated by a number of companies including Clay’s Garden Centre, Villeroy & Boch, Nexus, Tyneside Cinema & Coffee Rooms, Blue Genie Entertainment, Franco’s Terrace Bar & Restaurant and Theatre Productions Limited.
Judith Graziani of Franco’s Terrace Bar & Restaurant said: “Few of us go through life without being touched by cancer in some way and it is vital that we support charities such as Macmillan Cancer Care. This fantastic Over The Rainbow VIP Charity Lunch was a hugely successful event and a very worthwhile way of continuing our ongoing commitment to holding charity events here at Franco’s.”
Stephen Leatherland, the producer and director of Over The Rainbow: The Eva Cassidy Story, added: “The show is intended to be a truthful, heartfelt tribute to Eva’s life and talents and this VIP Charity Lunch was a wonderful way of raising money for such a worthy cause.”
The Over The Rainbow VIP Charity Lunch raised a grand total of £455.
For more information about future fundraising events or to find out how you can hold your own event in aid of Macmillan please contact the local fundraising office on 0191 214 5444.