Thousands to attend concert for Craig
More than 3,000 people are expected to attend a memorial concert honouring a sub-postmaster's son killed while trying to protect his family from robbers.
Organisers have been inundated by performers from across the region offering to perform for free at the event in Fairfield on July 5 as a tribute to Craig Hodson-Walker.
More than 250 acts are now lined up to take part in the concert – with the organisers having to now turn down many. They have also moved the start time from 2pm to 1pm to fit in all of the performances. The concert, which will be held on Fairfield's recreation ground, will be a day-long event running until 10pm.
Tickets are due to go on sale in the next two weeks. They are priced £10 for adults and £5 for children with under-fives getting in for free. People are asked to write to event organiser Kevin Pearson for tickets at 13 Haynes Close, Catshill, Bromsgrove, B61 OLX. All cash raised from the day will be donated to the RSPCA and Bromsgrove's Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer group. The charities have been chosen by Mr Hodson-Walker's family.
Mr Hodson-Walker was shot in the chest during a raid at the family-run Fairfield General Stores on January 9. The concert has been organised by landscape contractor Kevin Pearson, a trombonist with the Blackwell Concert Band.
"Response to the concert has been extraordinary," said Mr Pearson, 49.
"We have had to turn down performers because we are now reaching the deadline when tickets and flyers have to be printed. There has also been a lot of interest from people in the community asking where they can buy tickets. We are hoping for around 3,000 to attend on the day.
"More would be wonderful but that is the target we are looking at." Belbroughton Parish Council is supporting the festival and gave permission for the recreation ground to be used. Mr Pearson now wants sponsors and volunteers to help on the day.
Mr Hodson-Walker's father Ken was shot in the leg during the raid on the store.
Volunteers in the village re-opened the store three weeks after the shooting took place and continued to run it until Ken and wife Judy felt ready to return.
* Four men have been remanded in custody charged with the murder of Mr Hodson-Walker, the attempted murder of his father Ken and attempted robbery. They will appear at Birmingham Crown Court again in July.
