NHS festival organisers amazed by response

Organisers of a free NHS festival, part set up by the husband of a South Tyneside District Hospital worker, say they’ve been overwhelmed by the response.

Friends Andrew Kennedy and Ben Potts were so touched by the job being done by NHS and other essential staff during the COVID-19 crisis that they wanted to express their thanks by organising a free festival for frontline workers.

Rocking In The Free World will take place at Herrington Country Park on Saturday, May 22, 2021 – headlined by multi award-winning Sunderland born singer Em eli Sandé,a long with a host of other artistes.

Freelance recruitment consultant Andrew came up with the idea because he saw at first hand the challenges facing the NHS through his wife Jan, a sister who heads up the emergency admissions unit at South Tyneside District Hospital.

He enlisted the support of Ben, whose band, North East rock tribute group, The Sons of Eden, played at his wedding and will also now be performing at the festival.

Songwriter and vocalist Karen Harding has also added her name to the line-up.

“We’re just two ordinary blokes who wanted to put on something extra ordinary,” said Andrew.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the response so far and we’ve had so many people say it’s a great idea and also offering to help. We’ll be adding more acts as time goes on and we’ re hoping this will be a really amazing and memorable event for everyone.”

A Just Giving page has been set up to help raise £20,000 towards financing the event, at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/andrewkennedy

Register for tickets at www.rockinginthefreeworld.co.uk