Updated 21 March 2022
More than £2,000 was raised for the people of Ukraine thanks to superstar HSDC students who put on a show to remember.
Efforts from staff and students were combined to put on a charity gig at the Wedgewood Rooms in Southsea, with 251 tickets sold before the event on 12 March.
Thanks to the generosity of guests and the talent of performers, the total raised for the Disasters Emergency Committee was £2,200 – which will be match-funded by the government.
Music Teacher Paul Loder:
“It’s amazing, we managed this in 10 days from concept to completion. In particular the Wedgewood team said they were amazed at the numbers in such a short space of time, and they were also amazed by how well the students played and performed.”
A night of eclectic music put on by HSDC students is set to raise thousands of pounds to support the aid effort in Ukraine.
Bands from the UAL Level 3 Popular Music Performance course at HSDC South Downs will take to the stage at the Wedgewood Rooms in Southsea on Saturday, 12 March for a charity concert.
The concert was the idea of Music Teacher Paul Loder, who wanted to do something to support the people of Ukraine who have been affected by the current crisis.
A decision was made to bring the end-of-term performance forward to raise as much money as possible for the Disasters Emergency Committee in a short period of time.
Paul said:
“It’s very upsetting watching the crisis unfold in Ukraine, and when you talk to people they can’t really believe it’s happening in this day and age. I think it’s important to encourage students to express how they feel about issues.
“Typically we hold performances at the end of term and the students get to play live in front of an invited audience, in fact the first years sold out their last gig in the College Theatre last November, but this term now that restrictions have lifted everyone seems keen to get back into public venues.”
Paul contacted Geoff Priestley at the Wedgewood Rooms to find the next available date to put on the performance, and was pleasantly surprised to find an available Saturday date within weeks.
Paul said:
“Everyone involved has responded quickly and we are all working hard to make this a sell-out event. Typically the Wedgewood Rooms holds 400 people standing, so we need as much promotion and support as possible.”
If all tickets are sold, this will raise £3,200 for the cause, which the UK government will match-fund, raising the total to £6,400.
For most of the performers, it will be their first live gig in front of an audience, which is both nerve wracking and exciting for those involved.
Singer Eden Gains said:
“Paul came up with the idea. We all know what’s going on because we see it on the news and social media, we all wanted to do something.
“We wanted it sooner rather than later because we don’t know where Ukraine is going to be in a few months’ time.
“We’re doing a set which will appeal to all ages so anyone can come. We have got such a good class and we will put on a good show for everyone.”
International student Luke Carlson, who has come over from the USA to study at HSDC South Downs, said:
“This is going to be my first gig in the UK, it’s going to be a packed gig for a good cause so what more could you want?”
All proceeds will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee to be match funded by the UK Government for the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
Physical donations will also be collected by The Wedgewood Rooms on the night, including baby bottles, medicine, toiletries, canned foods, sleeping bags and more.
Buy tickets in advance at The Wedgewood Rooms’ website for £8 per ticket plus booking fee.