By Beckie Heaviside
Local musicians have banded together at Hollybush Conservation Centre in Kirkstall to support a Down Syndrome charity
Singer songwriters Rosey Hill, Samson (Sam Thorpe), Miss Airedale (Pip Fowler) and Nicky Bray’s Musical Menagerie, with accompaniment by Bob Schiffrin, gathered to perform to raise money for Sunshine and Smiles, the Leeds Down Syndrome Network.
The network provides a support network in Leeds for children and young people who have Down syndrome and their families.
Sunshine and Smiles also operates two café shops, Café 21 in Headingley and Cafe 21 @ Hollybush, run for and by people with Down Syndrome to offer training and work experience with the aim of creating job opportunities.
As Nicky runs an annual summer special for ‘Tower of Song’, a monthly themed open mic night for songwriters, at Hollybush, it seemed like a perfect match.
Turnout for the event was very good, with £350 taken in donations on the day and increased sales in the café.
Ailith Harley-Roberts, service delivery manager for Sunshine and Smiles, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to Nicky and all of the performers for arranging and playing at this wonderful event and for giving up their precious time to fundraise for Sunshine & Smiles.
“Everything raised will go directly to supporting people with Down syndrome across Leeds and we are very grateful! It was a wonderful afternoon to be a part of!”
Nicky Bray added: “It was a really special afternoon, which made me feel proud and privileged to live in Leeds where we have such brilliant organisations as Sunshine & Smiles and Hollybush Conservation Centre, and such a wonderful local community music scene.
“I’m hugely grateful to Hazel and Ailith for all their hard work sorting out the venue and cafe arrangements, to the audience for their generous donations and wonderful enthusiasm, and to Rosey, Sam, Miss Airedale and Bob for filling the Hollybush barn with their wonderful music.”
the event took place on on Saturday, 31 May.
For more information about Sunshine & Smiles or to make a donation, visit their website.
The Hollybush Cafe (Café 21 @ TCV Hollybush) is at TCV Hollybush Conservation Centre, Broad Lane, Kirkstall, Leeds, LS5 3BP. It is open Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10am to 3pm.
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