Business awards and a keen eye for comedy.

AHOST of budding entertainers from the North East business community enjoyed their five minutes of fame as part of the entertainment at the Alternative Business Awards.

The event, held every two years at The Journal Tyne Theatre, takes a light hearted look at the achievements of the region's business personalities with 15 categories awarded on the night, and followed by the 'Opportunity Knackered' Talent Show The coveted prize for Alternative Business Person of 2009, sponsored by Northumbrian Water, went to Glyn Evans who runs the City Centre Chaplaincy in Newcastle.

The talent show also showcased the varying musical talents of local business people. The acts included the 'Billabong Brothers' from accountants UNW performing 'Waltzing Matilda'; 'A Choired Taste' from Eversheds Solicitors performing 'Mamma Mia' and the 'Leighton Buzzcocks' from the Leighton Group performing 'Nellie the Elephant'. But it was 'Generator X' from Ryder Architecture performing the Kings of Leon's 'Mollys Chambers' that won the show.

The evening was hosted by Kathy Secker with cabaret from Brendan Healy and music from house band 55 Degrees. The awards raised funds for the Percy Hedley Foundation which helps children and adults with cerebral palsy, sensory, speech, language and communication disabilities in the North East.

Fundraising director Des Bustard said: "This was another great night for the business community and for Percy Hedley Foundation. We had a brilliant evening of entertainment and raised an amazing pounds 17,000 toward our appeal to build a new hydrotherapy centre which will bring invaluable benefits to disabled children and adults in the region."

Award sponsors included ncjmedia, Ark Associates, Bradley O'Mahoney, Eversheds, Ward Hadaway, Gateshead Newcastle Arts Forum, NRG, NECC, bdaily, Gentoo, NGI, Gateshead College, Ryder Architecture and Northumbrian Water.

OTHER WINNERS Ark the Erald Angel, for the person who likes to blow their own trumpet - Graeme Mason of Newcastle Airport. New Kid on the Block, new recruit making a major contribution to the region - Guy Opperman, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Hexham Unsung Hero, for people who do a lot but don't really make a song and dance about it - Des Bustard, director of fundraising and marketing at Percy Hedley Foundation Flash Harry, for the most showy business person - Stan Abbott of Gravity Consulting Robin Hood, for the business that sees a clear social responsibility -Brian Manning of the Esh Group Luvvie, for the person who likes to associate most with the arts world - Peter Buchan from Ryder Architecture Lunchtime Achiever, for the person who does the most business over lunch - Terry Laybourne of the 21 Hospitality Group Shiny Bottom, for the individual who sits on the most committees -Lucy Winskell of Sintons Solicitors Twitface, for the best social networker - Paul Callaghan of the Leighton Group and Sally Keith of the CIPR Life Begins... , for those enjoying a new lease of life - Graeme Thompson of the University of Sunderland Nice Guy/Gal, (sponsored by Northumbrian Water) - Jeff Brown of BBC Newcastle Ryder Cup, for the person who spends most of their time on the golf course - Nick Swales of UBS Bank Green Eyed Monster, for someone who has always led by good example and promoted good practice to the business community (sponsored by Gentoo) - Roy Stanley of the Tanfield Group Shy Bairn, for the individual not slow in coming forward - Ray Spencer of The Customs House

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ALTERNATIVE BUSINESS PERSON The Rev Glyn Evans.