A TEESSIDE man has raised more than £30,000 in aid of a local hospice with his increasingly popular annual charity event.

Every year Colin Callaby and a close circle of friends from The Southern Cross host a night featuring local talent and good music in which he brings the local community together for a common cause.

He began supporting Teesside Hospice in 2009 after his close friend’s wife passed away in the Hospice following a battle with cancer.

Mr Callaby hosted his first event for the charity in December 2009 and now in its 5th year, the night in the Middlesbrough pub continues to draw in the crowds.

He said: “It would have been impossible without the background work and tireless efforts of Bill and many other people in our group. We are so happy to have raised as much as we have and would like to thank everyone for their support.”

The most recent event took place on December 22 at Marton Country Club and raised £13,427. The evening featured Patrick Monahan, winner of Channel 4’s ‘Show me the Funny’ and 60s singing group The Delmonts, among others.

Leanne Irvine, community fundraiser at Teesside Hospice, said: “A great big thank you to Colin and everyone involved for their continued support. £13,427 is a substantial amount of money and it will help Teesside Hospice hugely to continue to provide our care to local people.”