Teens’ Irish Evening to Help Children with Cancer
By admin
Issued on behalf of The Joshua Foundation
TWO teenagers from Kenilworth have organised a special Irish event – to help raise money for children with cancer.
Ed Gallaway and Ben Longden, both 17 and pupils at Castle Sixth Form College, are putting on an Irish ‘caleigh’ – a dance evening- at the Newbol Comyn Arms in Leamington Spa, this Wednesday (June 6).
Ed and Ben have both signed up for ‘The Oz Experience’, a fundraising project organsied by The Joshua Foundation charity.
By raising £2,500 each in sponsorship money, ‘Oz Kids’ help to pay for dream holidays and experiences for children suffering with terminal cancer, and their families.
The rest of the money then goes towards a three-week adventure holiday Down Under, where the Oz kids carry out vital conservation work, as well as seeing the sights in Sydney and Melbourne.
The Joshua Foundation was set up by South-Wales mum, Sarah Cornelius, in memory of her son, Joshua, who died from abdominal cancer in 1998 at the age of just 7. Since then, the charity has raised more than £3million to help children and families in a similar situation.
The Caleigh starts at 7.15pm, and will be followed by an indoor performance from local blues band Steam Chicken at 9pm, with a guest performance from Ed, who will play guitar and trumpet during the evening.
Ed and Ben hope to raise £700 for their Oz fund from raffles and bucket collections on the evening. If they reach their fundraising target, they will travel to Australia with The Joshua Foundation in July 2008.
Ed said: “This is the first big fundraising event we’ve organised, so we’re hoping for a successful night. We are really looking forward to going to Australia, as well as raising money for an important cause.
Sarah Cornelius, who now acts a Chief Executive of The Joshua Foundation, said: “It’s great to see Ed and Ben have linked their interest in music to their fundraising. The Joshua Foundation is all about making life an experience, for the children and families we help, as well as our supporters. “
