A NUMBER of high-profile events are helping the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead reach its fundraising target. Owner of the Haverstock Arms, Andrew Carey, is organising a gala dinner dance, cabaret auction and grand raffle at Arsenal s Emirates Stadium to

A NUMBER of high-profile events are helping the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead reach its fundraising target.

Owner of the Haverstock Arms, Andrew Carey, is organising a gala dinner dance, cabaret auction and grand raffle at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium to help the hospice in its revamp.

The evening on October 10 will feature harpist Gina Mackey, pop duo Chas and Dave and Dead Ringers comedian Jon Culshaw, who regularly helps out Hampstead causes.

Raffle prizes include a new car and a holiday for two on Spain's Costa Blanca.

Mr Carey, who featured as the barman on Chris Evans's Channel 4 show TFI Friday in the 1990s, has organised annual events for the hospice for the last four years.

He said: "I missed last year's fundraiser because I was unwell - so this year is going to be even bigger. The people who go to the hospice don't have much time so the new rooms will help them live out their last weeks with families and friends in a more comfortable environment.

"They do a fantastic job. People are treated as people - not like in hospitals when they're treated as numbers."

Last month, rock groups raised £2,500 for the hospice by hosting a concert at the Carling Academy in Islington.

The Dig Deep concert, featuring up-and-coming London bands The Rifles and Sol Devious, sold out, with 1,000 people attending.

Tom Rowlett, lead singer of ska band Speed Circus, who organised the event, said: "One of my mum's mates passed away at the hospice two years ago and she was really well taken care of there. The concert went really well but it was quite stressful for me running around making sure everyone was in the right place. We'd like to do another one next year at the same venue. It was packed out. It was a great night."

Another boost to the hospice came from Ham&High reporters Ben McPartland and Katie Davies, who raised £5,600 running the London marathon in April after owners Archant doubled their fundraising efforts through its Archant Gold matching funding scheme.

o For tickets to Mr Carey's event at the Emirates Stadium, call 020-7586 9476.