After what happened to me this year I wanted to do something for CRY Awareness Week. I wanted to have a stand in Churchills shopping centre in Brighton to give out leaflets and possibly raise some money, but nothing came to fruit.
I had so many ideas to raise money for CRY during the week – I wanted to do a parachute jump but my doctors wouldn’t let me!
Another idea was to do a gig night. I had a few connections in Brighton and so I knew that this would happen!
A close friend called Piano Patrick (that is how I know him) organises gig nights where local artists do tribute nights. In the past they have done Queen, Sting and Neil Diamond. After long discussion we decided to do Dolly Parton, ’cause she’s got a big heart!
My job was to promote this night and Patrick got all the acts together. I got a friend to design me a poster, which I then got approved by Suzanne Dallas in the CRY office.
The CRY office also sent me loads of information leaflets and posters, and gave me support when needed via emails.
I did a newspaper interview with The Argus to promote the night, and one of the artists promoted the night on a local radio station.
I had people come into my place of work to wish me luck for my night, the word was getting out.
I approached several companies to donate raffle prizes – my work donated a £50 gift voucher and Brighton & Hove buses donated tickets to Rochester Christmas festival, which I raffled off on the night!
On the night we raised £102 – it wasn’t a sell out but being on a Tuesday it was always going to work against us! These gig nights usually were done on a Sunday and were more suited to the end of the weekend.
Speaking to the owner of the venue he said we had a good turnout and the feedback from people that attended was positive. I felt myself it was a shame that it wasn’t a sell out because this was one of the best that I’ve attended.
After the show I was asked if I would like to do another show – I’ve learned a lot from this time and I won’t rule it out!
I was hoping to raise more money for CRY, but we learn from every experience and I know to do things differently next time!
Joseph Tanner
