Red Sky Ball returns

Beacon of Light once again played host to spectacular fundraiser, Red Sky Ball.

After a two-year absence the highlight of Wearside’s events calendar was back in business.

Red Sky Ball raises vital funds for the Red Sky Foundation, which was established by husband and wife Sergio and Emma Petrucci after their daughter Luna underwent life-saving surgery.

Sergio and Emma began fundraising for the Children’s Heart Unit at Newcastle’s Hospital and the foundation has also supported Sunderland Royal Hospital and Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital.

Friday night’s event raised over £100,000 for the heart charity, which more recently has begun to donate community defibrillators, which can be used to help anyone who suffers a cardiac arrest.

Entertainment on the evening came from soprano Emily Haig and there were also performances from dance group Pocket Rockets and the Sunderland Symphony Orchestra.

Attendees included both cardiac patients and cardiac life-savers, NHS workers and MPs, as well as the Mayor of Sunderland Councillor Harry Trueman and guests from as far afield as Texas and Las Vegas.

Charity founder Sergio said: “We have raised nearly £113,000 once the costs of staging the event are taken into consideration.

"The auction alone raised almost £40,000 – David Beckham showed his support by sending a personal letter and a shirt.

“It means we will be able to buy machines for the Children’s Heart Unit at the Freeman, and for Sunderland neo-natal unit and we will be able to provide equipment for some of the surgeons from the Freeman to be able to go to war-torn countries and perform surgery on children and babies that is urgently needed.”