MAXIMUM smiles for a Mini gesture... Sarah Byrne, of Mosaic Events, based at Fishergate Centre, York celebrates her latest task.

She is organising an Italian Job night next Friday to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

The lone Mini is but a rehearsal. On the night it will be joined by a trio of Minis donated by Your Fleet Ltd which will park outside the venue - Ask Restaurant, formerly the Grand Assembly Rooms in York's Blake Street. Sponsors are hoping the event will raise about £3,000.

They are Distribution Powerlines, as well as Next Generation Club and Aniseed Design, both of York.

Sarah said: "Before you ask, I managed to get special dispensation from the City of York Council to park the Minis there for an hour at the beginning of the evening without fear of being ticketed."

Guests will be met at the restaurant for a Charlie Croker Reception and, following an Italian dinner, will come "the heist" - a charity auction when auctioneer Malcolm Dowson, of Sherburn-in-Elmet, wields the gavel.

Entertaining will be the York party band, Huge, while guests take pot luck in The Gold Bar Casino.

Sarah, whose Mosaic Events is a finalist in the New Business of the Year category of the 2004 Evening Press Business Awards, said: "The Minis are lovely.

"We'll try our hardest not to blow the bloody doors off."

Anyone who wants to take part in The Italian Job night, at £45 per head, should phone Sarah at 01904 611953.

Updated: 11:13 Friday, October 08, 2004