THE Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Newcastle will help raise money for countries affected by the tsunami.

They will be guests at an event at Waterside Palace Restaurant, on the Quayside, tonight, where it is hoped £8,000 can be collected with a raffle and auction of prizes donated by local companies and suppliers in Hong Kong.

Organiser Ben Tan, from the Waterside Palace, said he hoped the occasion would give people an opportunity to remember family, friends and colleagues affected by the earthquake.

Lord Mayor George Douglas, said: "While the whole world has been shocked by this tragedy, the response to this dreadful event has been staggering."