The first major fundraising event of the newly-formed Graham Wylie Foundation will see some of the leading names in music perform in the North East on the evening of the Great North Run on September 11.
Taking place at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena, Rock n Raise will see rock giants, Kaiser Chiefs, take to the stage in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, Nordoff Robbins and Graham Wylie Foundation. Irish rock band, Kodaline, will also be performing and other acts will be announced in the coming months.
High profile celebrities from the region and beyond have already offered their support for the initiative, including Ant and Dec, Alan Shearer and The Who’s Roger Daltrey CBE.
Commenting on the concert, Kaiser Chiefs’ frontman, Ricky Wilson, said: “We’re delighted to be headlining Rock n Raise in support of these three amazing causes. When Angie Jenkinson – Graham Wylie Foundation’s chief executive – called us up and asked if we’d do it, it was a no-brainer.”
“We’re big supporters of Teenage Cancer Trust and Nordoff Robbins and have worked with them before, so it’s great to be teaming up with them again. To be such a big part of Graham Wylie Foundation’s first big fundraising event is also incredibly exciting. We’ll be playing all our hits, plus a few numbers from our new album – it should be a fantastic night.”
“I have a real affection for the North East; my dad is from Seaham and one of my best mates lives in North Shields. We love performing here as the atmosphere is always great – the Geordies definitely know how to party! Performing on the same day as the Great North Run will be a real treat for us – we know it’s a massive day for Newcastle. It’s just as well that it’s only a half marathon though – hopefully everyone will still have a lot of energy afterwards! The gig will be one big after-party.”
Launched by founder of Sage and one of the region’s most notable entrepreneurs, Graham Wylie, Graham Wylie Foundation is dedicated to giving 100 per cent of donations to a number of local, deserving causes, with Graham meeting all running, staff and administration costs to ensure every single penny raised remains in the region, helping to inspire and educate children of all ages.
Money raised from the concert will go towards the building of a brand new Nordoff Robbins music therapy school in Newcastle – the first of its kind outside of London – and help fund the ongoing work at the city’s two Teenage Cancer Trust units at the RVI and Freeman hospital.
Tickets start from £25 and will go on sale at 9am on Friday June 3 2016. To book, call Metro Radio Arena’s booking hotline on 0844 493 6666, visit the Metro Radio Arena Box Office (from 10am) or log on to metroradioarena.co.uk
