New business to organise charity ball in aid of Diabetes UK

An events management business, set up with support from Teesside University, is using its skills to raise money for charity.

RMV Music and Events Management is organising a Summer Charity Ball to raise money for Diabetes UK.

The black tie event is being held at Redworth Hall, near Darlington, on Saturday September 14, and it is hoped will help raise funds for a support group in County Durham and North Yorkshire for children with diabetes and their parents.

RMV was founded in 2012 by Val I’Anson along with her partner, Russ Dawson, and daughter, Michelle Featonby, and works to promote music nights, charity events and specialist markets across the North-East and North Yorkshire.

The team were inspired to raise funds for Diabetes UK to help their friends Linda and Tim Hind, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, who have a young daughter with Type 1 Diabetes.

Val said: 'Maisie was only two years old when she was diagnosed and has to be injected daily.

'Obviously she hated it and didn’t understand why her parents were doing it to her. “It was very hard for all of them, as I’m sure it is for many parents in that situation.

'Maisie is now a bright, bubbly and intelligent six year old, but she and her parents would definitely gain from meeting and socialising with other families in similar circumstances and talking through their problems but there aren’t many groups like that locally.'

RMV is part of the ‘virtual incubation’ scheme at Teesside University’s £13million state-of-the-art campus at Darlington.

Businesses taking part get access to a business development training programme, mentoring and advice along with regular business support meetings.

Val added: 'The support from the University has been brilliant. We have used the meeting rooms on several occasions and have also received advice on planning the ball.

'We really wanted to put our skills to use to help raise funds for this worthy cause and decided that a charity ball would be the perfect way to do so.

'It will be a fantastic evening and we hope that as many people as possible come along to help make the night a success.'

Laura Woods, Director of Academic Enterprise at Teesside University, said: 'We’re delighted we’ve been able to help RMV in its initial stages and it’s great that the company is working to help such a worthy cause.

'We wish RMV all the best with this venture. The ball promises to be a hugely enjoyable event.'

Tickets for the ball cost £60 each and people buying nine tickets will receive one free. People reserving tickets before 30 July will also receive a 10% discount.

Entertainment includes welcome drinks followed by a three-course meal with wine, a silent auction, a raffle and tombola, table magicians, music and a special celebrity guest.

For more information call Michelle on 07411 453465 or Val on 01325 788982 or email rmvmusicandevents@gmail.com.

For more information about the business services offered by Teesside University, email Sue Clark at sue.clark@tees.ac.uk.

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