A special concert at Auckland Palace on Thursday 12 November will raise funds for the High Sheriff of Durham’s campaign supporting grassroots organisations helping young people across the region.
Held on behalf of the High Sheriff of Durham, Dr Arnab Basu MBE DL, the event will offer guests an evening of live music in the historic surroundings of Auckland Palace while raising money for young people across the region.
Tickets are available for up to 110 guests for the concert – sponsored by Bishop Auckland College – which will take place in St Peter’s Chapel and include wine and canapés during the interval. Standard tickets are £30, and VIP tickets are £50.
The chapel – one of the largest private chapels in Europe – was originally built around 1190 – during the time of Bishop Hugh du Puiset – as a medieval hall and later converted into a chapel by Bishop John Cosin in 1665.
An auction will also take place during the interval, giving guests another opportunity to support the High Sheriff’s Youth Awards.
A VIP event – sponsored by Bishop Auckland Town Council – will also take place beforehand for 30 guests from 18:30 to 19:15, where guests will enjoy an exclusive wine tasting hosted by acclaimed sommelier Daniel Jonberger, owner of Crush Wine Bar and Norse. Daniel will guide guests through a selection of ‘weird and wonderful’ wines from around the world.
Money raised will support the High Sheriff’s Youth Awards, facilitated by Point North, which have helped more than 120 grassroots organisations and 46,000 young people across County Durham, Darlington, Hartlepool and Stockton since 2012.
Dr Basu has made improving opportunities for young people a central priority of his year in office, particularly those facing disadvantage, struggling with their mental health or at risk of becoming involved in crime.
The High Sheriff of Durham, Dr Basu, said: “I’m very grateful to The Auckland Project for hosting this concert and helping us raise funds for the High Sheriff’s Youth Awards.
“During my year so far as High Sheriff, I’ve already had the opportunity to visit some remarkable organisations working with young people, often in communities facing considerable challenges. I’ve seen first-hand the difference that relatively modest amounts of funding can make to the work they do.
“The concert should be a very enjoyable evening in a wonderful setting, and I hope people will come along, support the event and help us to support more community organisations next year.”
Jane Ruffer, CEO and co-founder of The Auckland Project, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming guests to Auckland Palace for what promises to be a wonderful evening of music in support of such an important cause.
“Every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances, and the High Sheriff’s Youth Awards play a vital role in helping grassroots organisations make that possible.
“We are proud to support Dr Basu’s efforts to make a lasting difference to young people across our region and hope the concert will raise valuable funds for the organisations doing such remarkable work in our communities.”
Founded in 2012, The Auckland Project is a regeneration charity working to transform Bishop Auckland into a vibrant cultural destination through art, heritage, education and community engagement.
Visitors can explore Auckland Palace, once home to the powerful Prince Bishops of County Durham, along with its 10 acres of meticulously restored gardens, the 150-acre Deer Park, Spanish Gallery, Mining Art Gallery, and Faith Museum.
Alongside its attractions, the charity delivers community programmes and works with local schools and colleges to boost the local economy, create opportunities and inspire pride in the region’s history.
For more information about The Auckland Project, visit www.aucklandproject.org.
Standard tickets for the fundraising event are £30, and VIP tickets are £50. To book tickets or find out more, visit https://aucklandproject.org/event/high-sheriff-durham-fundraising-concert/
