Taking to the stage to help out charity

Country star’s gig for mental health association

Coatbridge country star Hazel Cumming will use her terrific talents to do her bit to help people with mental health issues.

The 23-year-old is taking to the stage in Kilmarnock next week to raise funds for the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) charity.

The selfless songbird was moved to support the organisation after seeing close family members and friends being affected by mental health problems – and herself.

Hazel told the Advertiser: “With my physical health not being great this year, and not being able to do as much as I would have liked to, I realised how big an impact that had on my mental health.

“This year, in particular, I’ve also noticed quite a few other people that are struggling with their mental health, from close family to people on social media.

“I’d like to be able to do my bit for SAMH and help support those that are struggling the most.”

Hazel added: “I am holding the gig in Kilmarnock after the great success of my album launch there.

“I am really looking forward to it as I’ve not been too well this year and this is the first big thing I’ve done in a while, especially after the turnout we had at my album launch.

“I just put the posters out last week and already half the tickets are sold, so it should be a good night.

“I’m holding a raffle on the night and all the funds are going to SAMH.

“It would really mean a lot for people to come and support my night.

“It’s clear that people from all over suffer with mental health, so it would be nice for people from Monklands to come and support a local artist, as well as donating money for SAMH through the raffle.”

The SAMH gig follows hot on the heels of Hazel’s “hugely successful” team up with six other singers to record a cover version of the late Whitney Houston’s classic One Moment In Time in aid of Cancer Research UK. Rachel added: “I am still very new to the music industry and it takes so much time and dedication to organise events like this in order to get my name out there.

“Country music in Scotland is very often considered old fashioned, but with TV programmes like Nashville and big country music concerts coming to Glasgow, hopefully people can see that it can be for all ages.”

Hazel’s gig in aid of SAMH takes place on Friday, November 24, in Kilmarnock’s Annanhill Golf Club at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £ 7.50, which includes sandwiches and sausage rolls, and are available now by calling 07979 494463 or 01563 822572.

This year in particular, I’ve noticed people struggling with their mental health

Charity single Hazel (left) with her fellow singers