Sheffield bands to rock out in aid of refugees at charity gig

Live music event Rockin for Refugees will be held at Plug on Matilda Street in the city centre.

The gig is free in exchange for donations of basic supplies for refugee camps in Calais.

Organisers are asking for toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, hammers, nails, wood and binbags as well as other basic items.

There are now 5,000 migrants in Calais, the French authorities estimate. Many are living in a makeshift camp dubbed ‘The Jungle’.

Organiser David Kurley, who will be playing with his band New Model Soldier at the event, said: “I was becoming more and more aware of the plight of refugees so I thought why don’t we put on a gig and get people to bring things that would be useful to them.

“The plan is to then distribute whatever we get in Calais.”

The 53-year-old council worker from Parson Cross added: “I think if you can do something you ought to do it.

“Everyone involved is all fired up about it. We’ve got quite a few volunteers so it won’t just be me and a wheelbarrow. We want to make it as big and as exciting as possible.”

A statment from Sheffield band K.O.G and the Zongo Brigade, who will be performing, said: “Getting involved in the ‘Rockin for Refugees’ night was a very easy decision.

“Our music is all about love and unity, that stems from our front man K.O.G who was born in Ghana and now lives here, so its also something he can relate to.

“We’re incredibly lucky to have the fantastic support we do, and to be able to use that in a positive way and raise money and awareness for a cause very close to our hearts is the very least we can do.”

The line-up also includes bands Jono & The Vandals, Bomar, Blood Sport, Velcro Teddy Bears and an acoustic set from Mirror Cracked.

The gig takes place at the Plug, Thursday December 17 from 8pm-3am.

To raise even more funds, New Model Soldier have recorded a song for Rockin for Refugees at 2Fly Studios with Sheffield legend Alan Smyth and Josie Robson’s all-woman choir, the Voxettes. The song is called Adrift and was inspired by the shocking pictures of refugees washed ashore earlier this year.

Any money made from purchases of the song will go towards buying extra goods to take down to The Jungle.

The single will be available to buy from The Washington on Fitzwilliam Street and The Cremorne on London Road from next week.

Or you can buy it online here: http://newmodelsoldier.bandcamp.com/track/adrift