West End Stars to stage exclusive event supporting GYG - and you can come!
An extraordinary evening of live music is set to light-up Gravesend in North Kent as stars from the West End, television and the music industry perform together in aid of a creative youth service.
Performers from the sectors have rallied together for one-night-only to help raise money to support Gifted Young Gravesham (GYG) by performing their hit songs from the musicals they star in and pop hits.
They will be joined on stage by young performers from GYG, many of who appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2024.
The one-off event will take place on Friday 7 March 2025 with all profits going to the youth service which uses creative arts to support young people's mental health and futures. It promises to be an unforgettable night of musical hits in an intimate venue at The Woodville theatre in Gravesend.
Full list of stars signed-up to the event so far:
Daniel Boys who plays the King in Hamilton
Jenna Boyd of Come From Away the musical
Leanne Jones star of Hairspray The Musical
Adam Pearce who plays the Bishop in Le Miserables
Eddie Elliott of Lion King and Blues for Alabama Sky
Verity Rushworth of Kinky Boots the musical and TV’s Emmerdale
Charlie Fights, singer and former GYG Member and signing coach for young people
Thomas Jay, singer and former GYG Member
Nick Woods, singer and former GYG Member
With special performances from talented young people.
Hosted by Mama G
GYG Youth Service has been a cornerstone of the community, here in Gravesend, North Kent, for more than 15 years, working with more than 10,000 young people and providing essential services and activities to support the development and wellbeing of local children, young people and their families.
This fundraising evening helps raise essential funds so GYG can continue its mission to support young people and expand its reach across the local area.
All profits from the event will go directly to the youth service, who lost their core funding, along with many other providers in the county after Kent County Council cut all commissioned youth services for the entire county in March 2024.
Leanne Jones, an Olivier Award Winning actor, has helped create the event, calling on her friends and colleagues in the industry to get involved in the fundraising showcase.
Leanne has worked with GYG, based in her hometown, for several years teaching performance and singing skills. With creative workshops helping to increase confidence, reduce anxiety and support wellbeing overall – while also giving young people the opportunity to pursue their interest in the arts.
She said of the event, “I have seen first-hand the difference it has made to so many children and young people’s lives. One young lady was so shy and uncomfortable when she first came along that she faced the wall to sing, she couldn’t bear anyone looking at her. Fast forward two years and she is compering a show and talking to 400 people in the audience! We are all so thankful for the support everyone is showing GYG – we hope we can keep making a big difference to young people’s lives going forward.”
In 2024 GYG’s youth choir auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent and got ‘yeses’ from the judges. While the group didn’t get further in the competition than the first round, the positive memories for the young people involved will remain incredibly special.
Jackie Coupar, Youth Work Manager of GYG said: “It is fantastic that so many incredible performers are giving their time to be part of this one-off event. They understand the importance of youth centres like GYG and how they give young people opportunities to be creative but also give young people a safe space to go, a place to make friends, grow in confidence and happiness.”