North East comedian awarded Freedom of the Borough
Picture - Freemen of Gateshead attended a special ceremony to bestow the honour of Freedom of the Borough
Legendary Tyneside comedian Bobby Pattinson has become an Honorary Freeman of Gateshead during a special ceremony at Gateshead Civic Centre.
The title, the highest honour that Gateshead Council can bestow, was presented to him in recognition of his contribution to charity, business and entertainment.
Bobby, known as the Godfather of North East comedy, was born and has lived in Gateshead throughout his life. Bobby has performed in different parts of the world, rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in showbiz. He was also honoured for all of the fundraising and charity work he has done over the years making a difference to the lives of others. He has dedicated much of his time to raising money for Variety, a children's charity which provides practical help and support to help disabled and disadvantaged children and young people. Bobby was awarded their highest honour 'The Silver Heart' in 2014 in recognition of him having personally raised over £100,000 for the charity which funded four buses for disabled children on Tyneside.
Bobby said: "Gateshead is me and I am Gateshead and it feels an honour to have this recognition. I'm very, very happy about it. Not bad for a funny faced comic from Gateshead!"
Councillor Catherine Donovan, Deputy Leader of Gateshead Council, said: "To become a Freeman of the Borough is the highest honour that we can bestow, and we're very proud to be able to recognise Bobby in this way. Each of our Freemen have made a significant contribution to Gateshead - leaving a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come and Bobby is no different.
"Gateshead has an international reputation for creativity, for art and for achieving things beyond what others believe to be possible. We know how powerful culture can be as it has been at the heart of our borough's regeneration for the last 30 years. Today gives us the opportunity to celebrate someone who has not only achieved so much in his field but has also done everything he can to promote culture, heritage and the arts whilst going above and beyond to help others."
Other Freemen of Gateshead include Sir John Hall, Sir Brendan Foster, Rt Hon Baroness Quin, David Clelland, Jill Halfpenny, Stephen Miller MBE and Bob Moncur.
Picture - Freemen of Gateshead attended a special ceremony to bestow the honour of Freedom of the Borough
Legendary Tyneside comedian Bobby Pattinson has become an Honorary Freeman of Gateshead during a special ceremony at Gateshead Civic Centre.
The title, the highest honour that Gateshead Council can bestow, was presented to him in recognition of his contribution to charity, business and entertainment.
Bobby, known as the Godfather of North East comedy, was born and has lived in Gateshead throughout his life. Bobby has performed in different parts of the world, rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in showbiz. He was also honoured for all of the fundraising and charity work he has done over the years making a difference to the lives of others. He has dedicated much of his time to raising money for Variety, a children's charity which provides practical help and support to help disabled and disadvantaged children and young people. Bobby was awarded their highest honour 'The Silver Heart' in 2014 in recognition of him having personally raised over £100,000 for the charity which funded four buses for disabled children on Tyneside.
Bobby said: "Gateshead is me and I am Gateshead and it feels an honour to have this recognition. I'm very, very happy about it. Not bad for a funny faced comic from Gateshead!"
Councillor Catherine Donovan, Deputy Leader of Gateshead Council, said: "To become a Freeman of the Borough is the highest honour that we can bestow, and we're very proud to be able to recognise Bobby in this way. Each of our Freemen have made a significant contribution to Gateshead - leaving a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come and Bobby is no different.
"Gateshead has an international reputation for creativity, for art and for achieving things beyond what others believe to be possible. We know how powerful culture can be as it has been at the heart of our borough's regeneration for the last 30 years. Today gives us the opportunity to celebrate someone who has not only achieved so much in his field but has also done everything he can to promote culture, heritage and the arts whilst going above and beyond to help others."
Other Freemen of Gateshead include Sir John Hall, Sir Brendan Foster, Rt Hon Baroness Quin, David Clelland, Jill Halfpenny, Stephen Miller MBE and Bob Moncur.
