Professional Liverpool Idol crowns its winner

Over 350 members of Liverpool's business community gathered last night (Thursday 9 July) to see the winner of the first Professional Liverpool Idol being crowned and celebrate over £20,500 being raised for learning disability charity, Mencap.

Winner John McCaffery of Grant Thornton won over the audience at PanAm on the Albert Dock and received the most votes with his rendition of "Valerie" by The Zutons. A panel of judges included BBC Radio Merseyside presenter Billy Butler, artistic director and Sense of Sound choir manager Jennifer John, actor Dean Sullivan and Martin O'Shea, former Atomic Kitten manager and director of artistic entertainment company Integral RPM.

The other hopeful contestants were Martin McQueen of Halliwells, Jon Else of TSSLP, Frank Herlihy of DSW, Frank Herlihy of DSW, Carla Whitehead of PKF, Edmund Chan of DLA Piper, Colin Wardale and Mike Powell of Hill Dickinson, Mike Petyt of Medicash, Jennifer Lee of KPMG and Lisa Murphy of DWF.

Gayle Derrick, head of regional fundraising for Mencap North West said: "The event was a huge success and we are delighted with how much was raised. We want to thank the Merseyside business community, Professional Liverpool, Medicash and Sense of Sound for all their support."

Compared by BBC Radio Merseyside presenter Roger Phillips, the event was run in partnership with Professional Liverpool which is the business network and sector support organisation for financial and professional services firms across the Liverpool City Region, and was sponsored by Liverpool based healthcare cash plan provider Medicash.

Mark Chadwick, chief executive of Professional Liverpool said: "Liverpool people are renowned for their generosity and the business community is no different having pulled together to raise a fantastic amount of money which will allow Mencap to continue its valuable work."

Sue Weir, chief executive of Medicash said: "We are delighted to be a part of such a successful event. Everyone has been bowled over by the standard of the performances and the professional vocal coaching the contestants received from Sense of Sound certainly paid off."