A Musical Marathon for Lauren

A group of young people are hosting an eight hour music marathon in Nan Rices in Newry on Bank Holiday Monday next 5 August to help raise money for a local teenager needing specialist cancer treatment. 

The young people have been regularly gigging in Nan Rices every Saturday afternoon and came up with the ideal of pooling their musical talent, fan base and resources to help out the family of Lauren Fitzgerald. 

Aoife Cranney, one of the  event organisers and singer with Open to Interpretation,  said it was a real easy decision to make.  "We all know Lauren’s brother, Sean. He has been a regular at our Saturday afternoon gigs and we wanted to reach out and show our support.”

Lauren, is a bright, 14 year old girl from Newry, who was diagnosed with stage IV high risk neuroblastoma in 2018.  She has already endured extensive treatment to date however neuroblastoma is an aggressive and complex cancer with a high likelihood of returning. 

Lauren’s family are fundraising with Solving Kids’ Cancer to give her the best chance of living cancer free. They need to raise £234,000 by September for Lauren to access treatment in New York.

As Aoife adds “We have 15 young bands, singers and performers, giving up their time on Monday 5 August from 4pm to midnight, to put on an 8 hour Music Marathon, in the Beer Garden in Nan Rice’s. It’s a huge symbol of young people pulling together to help others in need” 

“We want to show that young people can contribute positively in today’s society and use their skills and talent for good.”

The music on display will be as diverse and the young people delivering it including rock, pop, soul and punk.  There will even be some performances from other non young musicians who use the local Jamming Rooms and are well known to the main performers. 

“Yes, it true. We’ve also asked a few young at hearts to join us as well” laughs Aoife. “Just to show them how it can be done”

Find out more on facebook : https://www.facebook.com/events/391421294837494/

Full list of performers and Starting times 

You can make a £5 donation at the door.