What an unforgettable night "An Evening with Liverpool and England Legend John Barnes" turned out to be! This event combined football nostalgia, inspiration, and charity, all in support of MISSEDABEAT—a charity dedicated to funding life-saving defibrillators for local communities.
John Barnes, an icon of the game, shared stories from his remarkable career, giving guests a rare glimpse behind the scenes of his time with Liverpool and the England squad. His reflections on former teammate Peter Beardsley, whom he called the best player he ever shared the pitch with, resonated with everyone in attendance. And in a surprise moment, John treated guests to his famous rap, bringing back memories of World in Motion and lighting up the room with his unique style and charm.
Adding to the evening’s excitement, freestyle football world record holder Steve Grey wowed the crowd with his incredible skills, both on the red carpet and the big stage. Adam Hillyer set the tone with his vocals as guests arrived and later delivered a performance that added a musical touch to the event. Newton Aycliffe’s very own Mr. Remedy, Andy Lee, kept the energy going all night with his fantastic set, playing tunes that had everyone on their feet!
The meet-and-greet session was a highlight for fans, who enjoyed one-on-one chats, signed shirts, and photos with John Barnes himself. The chance to get up close and personal with such a legend was truly inspiring for everyone who took part.
A standout moment of the night was the auction, where a signed shirt from the Carabao Cup Final, donated by none other than Jurgen Klopp, fetched an impressive £1,100! With John Barnes as an enthusiastic and inspiring auctioneer, he made sure that every item reached its true value, reminding everyone just how impactful their contributions would be.
Mark took a special moment to invite Newton Aycliffe Chairman Alan Oliver to the stage and presented him with the club's new 3rd kit, which MISSEDABEAT will be proudly sponsoring. Funds raised for this sponsorship will come through a bonus ball featuring signed shirts from Jurgen Klopp and Eddie Howe, bringing fans an exciting way to support the charity. This partnership with Newton Aycliffe FC will not only spread awareness of MISSEDABEAT’s mission but will also provide valuable support to the town's team. Alan also took the opportunity to unveil the new sponsors for the 1st and 2nd kits, local firm Yard Self Storage, showcasing the community’s strong backing for the club.
Young entrepreneurs Riley and Jonnah also made an incredible contribution, raising £800 by selling football cards to guests. It was heartwarming to see these young boys supporting MISSED A BEAT with such enthusiasm—a true credit to their parents. Guests couldn’t stop commenting on how well-mannered and polite both boys were throughout the evening.
A huge thank you goes out to Lydia, Andrew, and the entire team at GLOW. Their dedication and support for MISSEDABEAT were inspiring from the moment they agreed to host this unforgettable evening. The charity will never forget the commitment and hard work they poured into making this event exceptional.
And to the outstanding catering team—what can we say? The food was nothing short of 5-star, and every guest commented on its quality. Your warmth, professionalism, and attention to detail helped make the night truly memorable.
Beyond celebrating football, the night underscored MISSEDABEAT's mission to provide essential equipment and training that can save lives. Inspired by the stories of loved ones we have lost to heart conditions, MISSEDABEAT works tirelessly to prevent future tragedies, making a real difference in our community.
A big thank you to all MISSEDABEAT’s trustees and to Kendra Green, who worked tirelessly throughout the night and in the lead-up to the event. Your hard work and dedication helped make this vision a reality, and we are so grateful for all you’ve done to support our mission!
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to our incredible sponsors—Murtek and Partners, Workshop Supplies, Ramsey’s Garage, DSM Fabrications, Sparkwise Solutions Newton Aycliffe, and G&A Joinery. Your ongoing support and commitment to MISSED A BEAT are invaluable, and we couldn’t achieve our mission without you. Thank you for standing with us and helping to make a life-saving impact in our community!
A huge shout-out to Chris Both, our fantastic photographer for the night, whose work was generously sponsored by Martin Walker. Chris captured so many incredible moments that truly reflect the energy and heart of the event. We would have loved to share every amazing shot he took – each one a special piece of the night! Thank you, Chris and Martin, for helping make this event unforgettable.
A huge thank you to Sandra Earl and Justine Wilson for creating the amazing balloon arch! It was a standout feature, and everyone commented on how fantastic it looked. We truly appreciate your hard work and creativity.
While we don’t have the final total raised from the evening just yet, we’re thrilled to announce that, with your incredible generosity—from donations, football cards, and auction sales—we’ve already exceeded £12,000 for MISSED A BEAT! This unbelievable amount will go a long way in helping the charity install more life-saving defibrillators, expanding our reach and raising awareness of our mission to prevent future tragedies. We can’t wait to share the final figure with you all soon. Thank you for making such a powerful impact and for standing with us in our mission!
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