Newcastle entrepreneur launches charity fashion show

A young entrepreneur is teaming up with a host of local businesses to stage a glamorous fashion event in aid of St Oswald’s Hospice. Richard Baker, who runs The City Portal, an online guide to Newcastle, is organising The City Portal Charity Fashion Show, which will take place on Thursday March 28 from 7pm at Newcastle Civic Centre. The event, in association with LA Taxis, is sponsored by Lotus Newcastle - Silverlink Specialist Cars, and all funds raised will be donated to Gosforth-based St Oswald’s Hospice. On the night, guests will be treated to a champagne reception and a performance from a top urban dance act before watching a stylish catwalk show featuring several of Newcastle’s finest independent fashion names including Edo Jesmond, Capology, Niche Threads and Tallulah Love. There will be a wealth of shopping opportunities, a charity raffle, and music from Tup Tup Palace and talented Newcastle singer-songwriter Micky Moran Parker. Brands such as Victoria Beckham Denim, Ralph Lauren, Pandora, King Apparel and Nicole Farhi will also be showcased throughout the night, and the event will be followed by an official after party at Tup Tup Palace. Richard Baker, 26, of Jesmond, said: “Since the launch of The City Portal last year, we’ve enjoyed working with a wide range of fashion brands to promote their offers throughout the city, and we wanted to host an event which would bring many of these local contacts together in one place to raise as much money as possible for St Oswald’s Hospice – a charity we greatly admire. “The fashion show is a perfect opportunity to kick off the Easter Bank Holiday weekend by enjoying a fun-filled, glamorous night out, with plenty of fashion inspiration and shopping opportunities, all in aid of a great cause.” Emma Noble, fundraiser at St Oswald’s Hospice, said: “We’re thrilled that Richard has chosen to support us with his event - it sounds like it’s going to be a fantastic night!  We need to raise £6.5million each year and without the support of our local community, we just couldn’t continue providing our specialist care for North East adults, young people and children.” Standard seating tickets are £15, and limited VIP tickets are available for £35 - including priority seating, a VIP gift bag, and free entry to Tup Tup Palace. Tickets can be purchased from www.skiddle.com/events/11829344/ or by calling Richard Baker on 07894 143497. For more information about The City Portal, visit www.thecityportal.co.uk