Eight local musicians took to the stage at the McMillan Theatre last month for a live-streamed gig to help raise funds for The Brainwave Centre, the Bridgwater-based charity that achieves ‘life changing’ outcomes for children with disabilities through specialist therapy.
The evening was organised by five students from Bridgwater & Taunton College as part of their Level 3 BTEC course in Business and Events Management – Ellie, Emma, Lauren, Lukas, and Hayden. The performance has already been viewed nearly 1,000 times online, with the event raising more than £650 for Brainwave. 
Kicking off the two-hour concert was saferinthecity, fronted by former Richard Huish College student Harry Paynter and accompanied by Jess Crudge and James Morrell, followed by the sultry tones of Bridgwater’s own Kizzie.
Four of the artists are in the throes of finishing their final year at Bridgwater & Taunton College – Tone G, Anna-Louise, Collette, and Jed; whilst Emo Ben returned to his old college to add his pop-punk melodies and thought-provoking lyrics.
They were joined on stage by Taunton-based Random Piano (Lyndon Coleman). Kizzie also gave praise to the five students for impeccable organisation, noting that “it’s hard enough to arrange a gig in normal times, but to organise this event during the pandemic is very impressive indeed.”
One of the students, Ellie Devine from North Petherton, had volunteered for Brainwave early last year so was very familiar with the Charity’s work: “We wanted to be ambitious and do something a bit different,” Ellie explained.
“The logistics proved quite challenging, getting everything in place within a short timeframe, but in the end ‘it was alright on the night’.
“We are very grateful to the Media Students and their teacher Alan Hardcastle as well as the Tech Students and their teacher Luke Chard-Maple at Bridgwater & Taunton College for providing the technical support.”
Since 1982, Brainwave has been working alongside families across the country providing bespoke therapy programmes for children with disabilities and additional needs that can be carried out at home.
“This was a fantastic effort by Ellie and the team,” Brainwave CEO Keith Sinclair said, “Our thanks go to the five students as well as the eight musicians that stepped up to support this project. Thank you also to Bridgwater & Taunton College for their support, too.”
For more information about Brainwave’s work, please go to www.brainwave.org.uk A video from the night is still available to view at https://fb.watch/5_SPXalJ_B/
Join Somerset Chamber of Commerce to give your business a stronger voice both locally, regionally and nationally. Combined with local town chambers, we represent over 2,000 businesses across Somerset with a direct line to policy-makers at all levels.
