Student-led variety night to raise funds for overseas volunteering

A third year Teesside University student is organising a variety night to raise funds for an overseas volunteering placement in India in June.

Jenn Long, who is studying BA (Hons) Performance for Live and Recorded Media, has been rallying her course-mates, and local performers and musicians, to join the bill for One Night Stand, an evening of music, dance and comedy at The Dickens Inn’s Gold Room on Tuesday 29 April.

Course-mates performing in the show will include compere Connor Chambers, stand-up comedian Joe Tasker, and Lynne Lawson, who will be performing with the sketch comedy group Immature Ladies.

Jenn, 21, from Northumberland, hopes to raise funds for a placement with i-to-i, in order to contribute to helping children with learning difficulties at the Cottolengo School for Disabilities in India.

She first discovered a passion for volunteering and charity work when she took part in the Race For Life in 2013 and raised more than £1,000 for cancer research. She has already raised almost £400 towards her i-to-i placement and hopes that the variety night will be just as successful as her previous efforts.

Jenn said: 'One of my friends took part in the i-to-i project in her first year, and I talked to her a lot about the excitement of being with the children. It gave her such a good feeling to be making a difference.

'I’m hoping to have a night where everyone can come and relax and enjoy themselves while seeing some local talent. There are a range of acts, including comedians, dancers and singers; some real variety for an audience to enjoy.'

Sarah O’Brien, programme leader for Performance for Live and Recorded Media, said: 'Jenn has shown great initiative in putting this event together. The evening should be a great opportunity to see some of the performers of the future, as well as supporting a great cause.'

One Night Stand will take place in The Gold Room at The Dickens Inn, on Southfield Road in Middlesbrough, from 7pm - late. Tickets will cost £3.50 on the door, or advance tickets are available to book for £2.50 by calling 07944 881185.

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