School's fundraiser featuring Beverley Knight makes £1,000 for NHS
A school's virtual alumni fundraiser, featuring global superstar Beverley Knight, has raised £1,000 for the NHS.
Highfields School's Lyceum Theatre was transformed into a makeshift TV studio for the Lockdown Live Lounge alumni concert, which saw the soul singer and other talented former students perform from their homes.
The concert was available to watch live for free on the Penn school’s YouTube Channel, but generous staff, students and parents donated money through the online box office for the NHS Relief Fund.
Ms Bishop, Highfields’ head of extra-curricular performance who presented the concert live, said: “I had been hoping to organise an alumni concert for a while, and was delighted that so many of our talented former students agreed to perform in our Live Lockdown concert to spread a message of hope and love.
“We have been overwhelmed with the generosity of people, helping us to raise £1,000 to support frontline NHS workers in the fight against Covid-19.
“It was a fantastic evening of top quality entertainment. I would like to say a huge thank you to all of our wonderful performers, as well as everyone who watched and donated.”
Opening the concert, Beverley Knight, said: “I am so excited to be singing for you guys, all my Highfields crew.”
The three-time MOBO Award winner performed a stunning version of Coloured Woman, from Memphis the Musical, in which has previously starred in the West End, and closed the concert with her own song, Keep This Fire Burning.
She was joined in the virtual concert by West End stars Harveen Mann, Tom Xander and Simbi Akande, as well as a number of more recent Highfields leavers, including Jessica Burgess, Jacob Kholi, Jess Olford and Jordannne Farley-Moss.
