hago concerts - 2007

We returned to St James Emsworth, this time to raise money for the Salisbury-based charity "Hope & Homes for Children", which is concerned with helping find families for children left in overseas orphanages. Founded in 1994, the charity helps find homes for abandoned children in many poor countries.

The concert was given in the presence of the then Mayor of Havant, Cllr Richard Brown. The evening included refreshments and a presentation by an overseas H&H representative, telling it how it really is.

We journeyed to the United Church in Winchester for a concert in aid of Retinitis Pigmentosa.

The organiser wrote

The grand total is more than I thought it was going to be. Eeveryone seemed to enjoy themselves I think everyone is a winner.

...

I was very pleased with how smoothly things went last night. I don't think it could have gone better - I had lots of helpers, and we were all packed up and gone by around 10:15pm.

And it really was nice to hear the guitar once more.

Thank you. Last night wouldn't have happened without you. I hope you realise how strong a force you are in making these events happen, and giving so much practical advice along the way.

Good luck for all your future concerts,

Our concert at St Simon's Southsea was in aid of Street Pastors. A Street Pastor is a Church member with a concern for society - in particular young people who feel themselves to be excluded and marginalised - and who is willing to engage such people. The role is one of listening, caring and helping - providing real assistance to those who feel society is ignoring them.

The organiser wrote

It all turned out to be a great evening with everyone really enjoying your unique sound and humour of Hago!
Fundswise it was very successful and after costs we have raised £500 that will sponsor 2 Street pastors to be out on the streets for 2 years!
Hope all goes well in the next Cambridge Concert.

We returned to Cambridge for another concert with Cambridge Guitar Orchestra, directed by Peter Rueffer - see more photos in our Cambridge Guitar Orchestra gallery.

St Faith's Church in Havant is an historic building with massive costs involved in its preservation. We played a concert there in aid of its restoration fund.

The organiser wrote

"On behalf of the Appeal Committee I am writing to thank your Orchestra for the concert you gave in the Church and I do apologise for not having written to you sooner.

It really was a splendid evening, very much enjoyed by all who were able to be there on the night and, when word got round afterwards as to how good an evening it had been, there were many people who regretted that they had missed it.

We thought your programme was excellent and very varied, and "Rhythm of Life" went down very well, particularly with Sandra, our Church Warden, as it is one of her favourites. We like to keep her happy...!

So, thank you very much for such a very good evening, sprinkled with your jokes which we liked and music we all enjoyed listening to"

We returned again to the Birdman of Bognor.

There are lots of photos in our Birdman of Bognor Gallery, where you can discover just how daft this event is!

It was a thrill to play in a concert organised by Milton Glee Club, supported by the Central Band of the Royal British Legion, at the 2000-seater Portsmouth Guildhall.

The Church of the Good Shepherd at Four Marks is a wonderfully spacious and light venue, which saw us playing for the Friends of Boundaries Surgery.

The organiser wrote

First of all Thank you to you and all the orchestra for the fantastic concert on Saturday night. I have had so much feedback of how super it all was - So thank you all very much for coming and providing such a great time for us all. 'Status Quo' was just great - my favourite group who I go to see live....

We made £430 clear for our funds - I waited until I knew the final amount before I sent this. So again thank you.

Park Place is a Pastoral Centre run by the Franciscan Sisters of Mary and the Angels. It's a French Order of Roman Catholic Nuns which is now largely made of up Indian Nuns, due to the large amount of Missionary work in India. Their worldwide work is now co-ordinated from Park Place and they work in many medical and educational centres in India, in amongst the families of lepers in Ethiopia and among the street children in Brazil.

The Friends of Park Place organise various events throughout the year to raise money to support their work. Our concert raised £1250

Our concert at St James Without-the-Priory Church Southwick raised £934 for the Rowans Hospice.

We returned to St Nicholas, North End, this time to raise money for Chernobyl Children's Lifeline, a charity that provides UK holidays for children living in the fall-out zone of the Chernobyl nuclear power station.