Wirral jazz musicians raise £10,000 for British Red Cross Haiti appeal

Mar 3 2010 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

A CONCERT by Wirral jazz musicians at the Floral Pavilion Theatre raised £9,631 for the British Red Cross’s Haiti appeal.

Over 15 jazz groups played at the concert on Sunday, February 21 and there was even a guest appearance by actor Ricky Tomlinson, who helped compere with Ray Owens and played his banjo for the 800-strong audience.

Funds will go towards helping the people of Haiti recover from the earthquake which devastated the country earlier this year.

Tony Davis, of the Tony Davis Jazz Band, said: “It was just fantastic. The concert was completely sold out and we could have easily sold more.

“People are still sending money in now, which is marvellous. We just couldn’t believe how wonderful it was.”

Organisers hope the final figure will reach £10,000.

Alexis Flairclough, British Red Cross fundraising manager for Merseyside, said: “To raise over £9,000 in just one event is amazing.

“I’d like to thank people who both entertained and attended the Jazz 4 Haiti event, and a huge thank you to the Floral Pavilion and the event organisers, Beryl and Tony Davis and all their team who organised the concert.

“These funds are vital in helping the millions of people who are still suffering in Haiti.”

THE British Red Cross has launched an appeal to support survivors of last weekend’s earthquake in Chile. Money raised will help the work of the Chilean Red Cross. To donate go to www.redcross.org.uk/chileearthquake or call 0845 054 7201.

A STUDENT from Irby organised a charity evening to raise money for the children of Knysna, South Africa.

Louise Charmley, 20, who attends Chester University, is spending five weeks in South Africa in May and will be working in a pre-school and an orphanage in the town.

The night at the Kings Gap Hotel on Friday included a disco, tombola and raffle.

Louise said: “It’s such a privilege to be able to help these children. I can’t wait to go to South Africa in May and meet them.

“The proceeds from the event will go a long way towards helping to build a better life for them and their families.”

FUNDRAISING EVENTS

A CHARITY auction organised by the Lions Clubs of West Kirby and Wirral will take place on Saturday, March 6 at the Heatherlands, Irby, starting at 7.30pm.

There will be entertainment from Paul McCartney tribute Neil Tudor. Auction items include use of an MX5 sports car for the weekend, a signed Everton football, Liverpool FC stadium tour and photoshoot.

All proceeds will be used to purchase equipment for a new development at Ashville Lodge, Birkenhead, the home of the Wirral Society of the Blind and Partially Sighted.

Tickets are £15 from Linghams Bookshop, Heswall, Ashville Lodge on 652 8877 or Joan Elliott on 512 7510.

ALL Saints Church, Thornton Hough and St John’s Hospice are holding a ladies pamper evening at The Grange, Thornton Hough on Monday, March 29 from 6.45pm.

Tickets are £10, including a glass of wine, available from Doreen Mosedale on 336 4597 or SJH fundraising on 343 0778.

WALLASEY Buffaloes have organised two fundraising nights in support of the Allandale Centre.

The first event is a race afternoon in the Parkview Social Club, Wallasey on Saturday, March 6. The second will be a night featuring the music of DJ Paul Drew at the same venue on Friday, March 19.

THIS week’s winning St John’s Hospice lottery numbers are £2,000: 809214 (Bebington), £500: 783345 (Wallasey), £100: 479733 (Prenton), £50: 515818 (Neston).