A great night in June supporting the Newcastle United Foundation’s Mount Toubkal Trek 2026, with Black Tie Bingo at Dakota Hotel Newcastle, hosted by Plastiq and powered by our Monet Bingo Machine.

All proceeds raised that night went to the Newcastle United Foundation’s Health and Wellbeing Programmes as part of my Mount Toubkal trek fundraising challenge.

Mount Toubkal is the highest peak in Morocco, the Atlas Mountains, and all of North Africa, standing at 4,167 meters (13,671 feet). The trek covered four days from 14 June to 18 June 2026, with the team reaching the summit on 17 June.

Lauren King, Regional Head of Sales for The Dakota Hotels in Newcastle & Leeds, organised the Black Tie Bingo and took part in the trek.

She said: “Without a doubt, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, physically, mentally and emotionally.

“I genuinely would not have made it without the incredible group of people I had the honour of climbing with.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch to share the experience with. Alongside my aching back, legs and feet, my belly and face hurt even more from laughing all week.”

Another trekker, Richard Taylor, described the climb as “highly unpleasant but extremely rewarding.”

The team raised over £40,000 to support free community disability football sessions and mental/physical health initiatives.