Sunderland Echo

Virtual talent show to raise spirits and cash

- Mark Payne mark.payne@jpimedia.co.uk @MarkPayneJ­PI

A charity set up in memory of an inspiratio­nal little boy who won the hearts of the nation is launching an online talent show to lift the country’s spirits and raise funds after donations were hit by the pandemic.

The Bradley Lowery Foundation’s annual talent show is a popular event for talented youngsters to show off their skills and raise money for the national charity.

Because of the pandemic, BLF’s Got Talent is moving onlinethis year and will launch on social media with one-minute auditions on YouTube.

The competitio­n is open to all children aged 16 years or under for a small entry fee of £5.

Lynn Murphy, head of communicat­ions and fundraisin­g, said: “Many people will be familiar with the annual talent show we host at the Bradley Lowery Foundation. We don’t want to let the pandemic spoil our fun, so for this year only, we’re launching a virtual edition!

“After the news that this year’s Britain’s Got Talent has been postponed, we hope that lots of youngsters will be excited for an opportunit­y to show of their hidden talents.

"So whether it’s you or a younger relative, dust of your top hats, tap shoes and start stretching your vocal cords and join us for this epic talent show extravagan­za!”

The winners of each round will be decided by the number of likes their entry receives within a given period.

And the overall winner will be decided by the most amount of likes on individual posts once the heats have concluded.

The Bradley Lowery Foundation was establishe­d in memory of Blackhall youngster and big Sunderland AFC fan Bradley Lowery, who died in 2017 aged six following a fight with neuroblast­oma.

Since then, the foundation has raised more than £3 million for dozens of poorly children across the UK; establishe­d a dedicated support line for the families of children with cancer; donated over £200,000 to research and campaigned for new drugs.

Lynne added: "BLF’s Got Talent will be a fantastic way to raise vital funds for the dozens of poorly children we support around the country and have some fun in the process!”

From the money raised from the contest 25% will go to Alice House Hospice in Hartlepool.

The closing date for entries is tomorrow. Visit: https://bradleylow­eryfoundat­ion.com/blfs-got-talent-2021/

 ??  ?? Bradley Lowery captured the hearts of people across the world.
Bradley Lowery captured the hearts of people across the world.
 ??  ?? Part of the poster for the online talent competitio­n.
Part of the poster for the online talent competitio­n.

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