Benefit gig to raise funds for blaze victims
Sunderland Reporter WANT to help the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire this weekend?
Then get yourself to Newcastle’s O2 Academy for the Grenfell Aid benefit gig on Friday to raise funds for those devastated by the tragedy.
Featuring a full evening of bands and artists, including Futureheads front man Barry Hyde, it promises to be a party with a purpose.
Tickets cost just £5 and doors are scheduled to open at 6pm.
Cash raised will go to helping those who have been left homeless since the June 14 blaze which killed at least 80 people.
The Chronicle, which launched the What Price Life? campaign calling for better fire safety standards for high rise buildings, will be supporting the event.
It’s being organised by Inspired Support and Inspiring Events CIC, a charitable company which harnesses the talents of people with learning difficulties and autism to host events.
Director David Winship, 43, explained why the organisation felt compelled to help.
He said: “When the tragedy happened it touched a lot of people and we felt helpless and like we really needed to do something in response.
“We got together the day after it happened and we were all in agreement that we needed to react.
“Every single person involved is doing everything for free and every penny will be going towards helping people down there.”
As well as raising financial assistance for those who need it most, Mr Winship says the night has an extra edge.
He wants to inspire people to help those who have been marginalised and to make it clear this sort of disaster should never be allowed to happen again.
The event organiser said: “It’s 2017. Things like this should not happen. We want to raise the profile of these problems.
“It’s all about wanting to look after your fellow man and woman and wanting to do something to help.
“For a long time in this country it felt like people did not necessarily do that but now it feels like something is changing in the country.
“We live in divided times but things like this bring us together.”
The line-up has a local tilt and features a couple of stalwarts of the region’s independent music scene.
Mr Winship said: “Straight away, Barry Hyde got on board and I know the cause was really in his head.
“He will be rolling out some Futureheads classics which he hasn’t done for a while so that will be a nice touch.
“Martin Longstaff of The Lake Poets said the same thing straight away too - ‘get me on there.’”
Also appearing will be Tom Mouse Smith, a 13-year-old who has already supported James Bay at Mouth of the Tyne Festival, and there will be some quality tribute bands too.
Tickets for the benefit gig can be purchased at the O2 Academy or through Ticketmaster.