Our last weekend for September
Our weekend was due to start on Friday this week, with the long anticipated Skeggae Reggae in Skegness. Unfortunately, one of our members got suddenly very poorly and had to go to the hospital. We were all very concerned, obviously, but also we didn't want to let down F Troop and everyone at Skeggae Reggae. We tried everyone who could have stepped in, but with such short notice there was no chance of pulling it off. Luckily, we made some phone calls, and another band could step in for us, and the event was still a success by all accounts.
We had worked really hard to get some extra things in our set especially for Skeggae Reggae, and it was such a shame that we didn't get to bring them to you. We're hoping really soon we'll be able to post a video, as we'd got a special song planned to dedicate to Tom Noble.
With a change of plans and a poorly band member, we had no choice but to wait at home for Saturday to roll round so we could hit the fundraiser in memory of Reece Hipwood, at Blossomfield Club in Solihull. In a stroke of luck, the poorly band member wasn't in our personnel for our Saturday line-up, so we didn't have to change anything.
We've had the pleasure of really getting to know Katie and the family over recent months, so we were really anticipating a fantastic night for them. The fundraiser was in aim of raising awareness of knife crime, as unfortunately Reece Hipwood lost his life to a stabbing in 2018. Despite the overwhelming sadness that this family has been through, they persevere to ensure that they keep Reece's memory alive, looking to support important services that can save lives, which is why money raised from the fundraiser was destined to Warwick and Solihull Blood Bikes.
Warwickshire and Solihull Blood Bikes have been around for ten years now. They are entirely funded by charity and entirely run by unpaid volunteers. The main aim of the WSBB is to provide out of hours, emergency transport to the NHS, delivering things such as blood, plasma, tissue samples, spinal fluids, X Rays and licenced drugs. They operate in any out of hours times: from 7pm to 6am on weekdays and 24 hours a day during weekends and bank holidays. The difference that an organisation like WSBB can make is that a patient needed blood can have this administered by a paramedic before they reach the hospital, which can obviously mean the difference between life and death. It's an extremely important organisation and have served 15,500 patients in the time it has been in operation.
WSBB was at the heart of the family's fundraising aims. They organised a wonderful charity fundraising evening, and we were honoured to be invited to be part of it, alongside some fantastic vinyl DJ's playing the best of old school reggae and Ska. A charity raffle and auction took place, and today we've happily heard that the family has raised over £5000 for the charity. They are such an amazing bunch of people.
On a slightly different note, we waited in the back while the auction was taking place, and happened to find some snooker balls, and played a little game of snooker with Al's drum sticks, which was pretty funny.
The atmosphere was absolutely amazing, with everyone there to give and to remember Reece and keep him in their lives and thoughts. Some people cried, there was a lot of hugging, and yet everyone raised their glasses for Reece and smiled remembering him. You were a truly magnificent bunch of people and we're humbled to have been a part of your night.
We would also like to say Happy Anniversary to Mr and Mrs Carter. Denise and Greg celebrated their wedding in true style this time last year and we had the pleasure of dragging them onto stage to sing, as well as entertaining them for the evening. All the love, guys!
If you would like to find out more about Warwick and Solihull Blood Bikes and the essential services they support and provide, please have a look here:
If you would like to make a donation in support of WSBB, you can do that here:
Our next public performance is at Claptrap the Venue, Stourbridge on 7th October 2022. Please see our events page for more details.
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