Teenagers team up for fundraising concert (From thisisoxfordshire)

Teenagers team up for fundraising concert

7:00am Monday 14th January 2013 in News By Jamie Brooks, Contact me on 01865 425422

A CASSINGTON student is getting a little help from her friends to raise funds for Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Kizzy Horgan, 16, of St Peter’s Close, is putting on a gig showcasing young bands and singers from across Oxfordshire at the Langdale Hall in Witney.

A dozen acts – soloists, bands and duos – are to perform on Saturday, January 26, from 7.30pm.

Among those appearing are Jack Francis, 12, and his brother Charlie, 15, who live in Witney, with the band Signal My Escape.

Also featuring are Dan Wright, 18, and his brother Steve, 15, from Cassington band The Verb.

Miss Horgan, who is studying for her A-Levels at the Bartholomew School in Eynsham, is hoping plenty of people will come along to enjoy the entertainment and raise money for the hospital.

She said: “We are raising money for a very worthy cause. I wanted to organise the concert to spare a thought for other people.

“If I was in hospital I would like to think that people are thinking about what a tough time I was going through.”

Miss Horgan is a member of Oxfordshire charity Hopeful Notes, which is paying to put on the gig.

The non-profit musical society is made up of singers of all ages.

Last year they raised £5,000 to improve facilities at the Monahan Way sports pavilion in Carterton, which is used by bereaved families during RAF Brize Norton repatriations.

All money raised at the latest gig will go to the children’s hospital, after the cost of hiring the hall has been covered.

By participating in open mic events and talent competitions as well as fundraisers with the group, Miss Horgan met some of the acts she has gathered for the gig.

She added: “Music really inspires people and strikes emotion in all of us. It can make a huge amount of people feel the same thing.”

Once she has finished studying Miss Horgan hopes to become an arts practitioner, running theatre workshops for vulnerable groups in the community. She also aspires to run a music and drama school for disabled and able bodied people.

Sarah Vaccari, of the children’s hospital, said: “It’s fantastic to hear that Miss Horgan and her friends have gone to such great efforts for the Oxford Children’s Hospital.

“I’d like to say a huge thank-you for all that they are doing.”

• Tickets for the concert cost £3 for under 18s and £5 for over 18s. For more information, call 01865 881480.

THE LINE-UP

• Signal My Escape, featuring students at Henry Box School in Witney.
• The Verb from Cassington.
• Underground Riot, an Oxfordshire band.
• The Reverb from Kennington and Botley, whose members go to Matthew Arnold School.
• A new band, as yet un-named, from Henry Box School.
• Harry Flynn, a singer and pianist.
• Lily Page, a singer from Bartholomew School in Eynsham.
• Jamie Felton, a singer-songwriter from Buckinghamshire.
• Ellie Brown, a singer-songwriter from Long Hanborough who attends Wood Green School in Witney.
• Ellie Simlett, a singer from Long Hanborough who attends Bartholomew School in Eynsham.
• Keon, a beat-boxer from Witney.
• Tilly and Jollie, a duo from Henry Box School in Witney.