27 August 2008
27th August 08
The Ellen MacArthur Trust is delighted to be the official charity of SouthseaFest 08. This music festival will be organised by Josie Curtis, who has been fundraising for the Ellen MacArthur Trust for the last two years, after her brother Beau first came sailing on a Trust trip in 2004.
Beau was diagnosed with cancer in 2004 aged 11, which came as a massive blow to him and all his
family. Beau spent almost a year in and out of hospital and his treatment meant, among other things, he was unable to participate in any of the watersports he loved. Once he received the
all clear, Beau was invited to sail with the Ellen MacArthur Trust and Josie recounts “Beau was initially very nervous about the trip, but on his return all we heard were tales of his adventure. He
was the happiest kid I’d ever seen and he didn’t stop talking about Ellen and the team. The sailing trip was the first time since his diagnosis that we had allowed Beau out of our control, and when
he came back it was great to see that the kid in him had returned.”
Josie’s Southsea Festival concept began in 2006 shortly after her family had the devastating news that Beau’s cancer had returned once more. Beau is passionate about music and a talented musician, the main reason Josie decided to establish this music event for charity. In 2007 the first festival took place, with Beau and his band, along with many other musicians well known on the local scene, playing to a great reception.
The success of this day of music spurred Josie to plough more time and energy into making the event bigger and better for 2008. Earlier this year on Saturday 19th April, over twenty musicians and DJ’s played at two venues in Southsea, and on September 13th more bands will come together for another day of music, with all profits going to The Ellen MacArthur Trust.
Ellen MacArthur said “Having sailed with Beau I’m delighted that he is doing well following his transplant, and
wish Josie the best of luck with her 2008 fundraising music events.”
Following a very successful event in April, the September 13th Albert Road event is being held under the tagline of ‘One Day, One City, One Street’ and for just £8 per ticket you will have access to the eight venues hosting a wide variety of national, local, signed and unsigned bands including Little Fish, Eliza Doolittle and Ciara Haidar. There will also be DJ’s, poets and illustrators joining in the festival spirit.
To find out more about the event please visit www.southseafest.com or www.myspace.com/southseafest