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!
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
