A POPULAR lockdown performer returned with friends for a street gig to raise funds for the charity NSPCC last Sunday.
Singer Ruby Mann, from Shirley, organised and performed at the ‘Entertaining in The Crescent’ show last year which raised £300 for the children’s charity.
And after the success of last year’s event, three other performers joined her on the island located just off The Crescent in Shirley to entertain residents.
The 55-year-old said: “During lockdown I started to sing for my neighbours.
“I had VE Day 75th anniversary celebrations that were cancelled, as well as five other gigs due to Covid- 19. I didn’t want to let such a special occasion go by without marking it.
“I was filmed singing Vera Lynn’s classic ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and my wonderful neighbours really got on board dressing in red white and blue – they also trimmed their houses up.
“We then decided to put on a show in The Crescent to raise money for the NSPCC in July last year. We were delighted with how much money we raised and thought it would be a fabulous idea to do this on an annual basis.
“The NSPCC’s work during the pandemic has been so important and their tag line during the pandemic was ‘still here for children’ – I thought that was such a vital statement as I can’t imagine the extra strain the pandemic has caused families.”
Other performers included Andy White as Elvis, Tommy Harper and Teresa Farrell.
Ruby added: “My fellow entertainers have been more than happy to give their time for free. My neighbours are fully behind this and will be digging deep into their pockets.”
This comes as the NSPCC launches its Childhood Day. On June 11, the NSPCC will ask families, friends and colleagues from across the UK to celebrate childhood by organising a play event to raise money and help keep children safe.
