ORGANISERS of a charity dinner held at the Riverside Stadium enjoyed a taste of Turkish delight when the generosity of Teessiders helped them raise £16,000 for two hospitals.

The sell-out gala dinner, in aid of James Cook University Hospital's Chemotherapy Unit and Baghdad Children's Cancer Hospital, saw 200 guests dance the night away to top local band The Beer Pigs after performances from singer Dom Boyes and TV impressionist Kevin Connelly.

An auction for an array of money-can't-buy auction items brought in £7,340, with top-billing going to the first Boro shirt to be signed by the club's new signing, Turkish superstar Tuncay Sanli, which went for a top bid of £610.

The night's best bid was £900 for a Brazil shirt signed by stars such as Ronaldinho and Kaka, while David Beckham and Steven Gerrard were among the players to have signed an England shirt that raised £520.

Meanwhile, the chance to play Boro legend Bernie Slaven's all-star five-a-side team went for a top bid of £720, with another £510 raised for the chance to join Bernie and his Century fm sidekick Alastair Brownlee for a commentary at the Riverside Stadium.

Other items auctioned included Bolo Zenden's match-worn Liverpool shirt (£540), a handmade patchwork quilt (£400), a barbeque for 25 (£360) and golf with Lee Cattermole (£320).

Fr Paul Farrer, who led the organising team responsible for the event, said: "We were all absolutely delighted with the success of the first Riverside Gala Dinner.

"Tables for the event were sold out almost before we began to advertise, simply because we were working to support two such great charities.

"We were blown away by people's generosity on the night. So many people donated wonderful prizes and so many others dug deep into their pockets trying to win them.

"We were royally entertained by Kevin Connelly, The Beer Pigs and Dom Boyes and we remain grateful to them all but there are so many other sponsors and benefactors who helped so generously to make the evening the great success it was."

Fr Paul said the night had been inspired by his good friend Chris Tillotson, who wanted to respond to the need that she saw while accompanying her friend, Val Clark, during chemotherapy treatment at James Cook University Hospital.

"Chris's desire to do something, coupled with the drive of John Hinman, who champions the cause of the Baghdad Children's Cancer Hospital, made the task of organising the event very easy," he said.

Fr Farrer was aided in the planning and running of the event by Dave and Bernie Allan, Chris and Keith Tillotson and Mike McGeary.

He said the night had proved such a success that it had already been decided to hold a second Gala Dinner - for two different charities - next year.

John Hinman, who leads a team of volunteers who send regular consignments of vital drugs to Baghdad Children's Cancer Hospital, was thrilled the event had raised so much.

"It was a stunning event and a wonderful result in raising over £16,000. With around £8,000 - our charity's share of the funds raised - we can buy £12,000-worth of new paediatric oncology drugs, so that's fantastic!

"We are saving lives in a war zone and that would no be possible without such commitment and generosity."

The organising committee tribute to the support of Middlesbrough Football, hpm, Marske Machine Co, Rimick Floors, Bemac Site Services, Fairfield Industries, The Knights Club, Bakers Tailoring, the Blue Bell Hotel, Gary Walsh Photography and Barclaycard.

Thanks also to Stephen Barker Hairdressing, McCoys at the Cleveland Tontine, Marks & Spencer, Newboulds, Country Valley, Chintz Hair Salon, East Cleveland Domestics, Boyes Stores, Linthorpe Drapes, Premium TV, Mick and Katie Haycock, Lee Cattermole, Phil Dasey, Bernie Slaven, Alastair Brownlee, Gary Havelock and Redcar Bears, Pat McGeary, Mark Page, Diane O'Connell, Tess Gorman,Adrian Bevington and the FA, Bolo Zenden and Liverpool FC, Gary Oliver and Newcastle United FC, Martin Walker and Sunderland AFC, Dave Murphy and Hibernian FC, Rangers FC and Eddie Gubbins.

The full list of winning auction bids was:

Boro Shirt: £175 
Dinner for 6 at your home: £190
Rangers Shirt: £100
Gary Walsh Photo Session: £210
Sunderland Shirt: £165
Chef for the day at the Tontine: £210
Hibernian Shirt: £250
Golf with Fr Farrer & Fr Gubbins: £160
Brazil Shirt: £900
Melody Maker magazines: £30 
Five-a-side against Bernie Slaven's team: £720
Join Bernie and Ali for a commentary: £510
Gary Havelock Helmet & tickets: £190
BBQ for 25: £360
Liverpool Shirt: £540
Assist Mark Page: £180
Golf with Lee Cattermole: £320
The Kids are Solid Gold tickets: £190
England Shirt: £520
Newcastle Shirt: £210
Signed Tuncay Shirt: £610
Hand-made Quilt: £400

Details of the raffle winners: