Music and song play for James (From Croydon Guardian)

Music and song play for James

10:43am Wednesday 19th June 2002 in News

Fund-raising for the James Haddad Appeal Fund is now in full swing, and two recent events in Croydon have helped push the total up to an amazing £13,000 since the launch in March, writes Joseph O'Shea.

A benefit concert starring local guitarist and fellow St Mary's pupil James Ford, 11, was held at the Cartoon club, London Road West Croydon on Sunday, June 9.

Nearly 200 people including school children attended the concert, which was organised by James Ford's father Peter and St Mary's mum Geri Pernell, and over £1,000 was raised on the night.

Peter Ford told the Guardian: "We read about James' illness and it put everything into perspective. We were approached about holding a concert, and we were only too willing to help."

Tickets were sold for £5 each and a signed guitar (pictured) which like James Ford, featured in the recently filmed Linda La Plante's "Trail and Retribution VI" was auctioned, raising £100.

James Haddad's father Robert said: "It was a rock concert and young James Ford was very impressive indeed. He's a very talented boy and I'm sure one day he'll be a big star! We are so grateful to him and his father for their efforts."

The previous night St Mary's Church Hall was the packed venue for a fund-raising dinner dance organised by family friends Cedric and Marie Roberts, and Vernon Shaw.

The evening which featured dinner, live music, dancing and a raffle, raised £1,480 for the fund.

Robert said: "The night was very successful and it was very touching to see so many there to support James. When we arrived as a family, the hall was full and James received an almost royal welcome."

And despite his life-threatening brain condition, young James, 8, is starting to enjoy his new-found status as a local celebrity.

Robert said: "James says himself that he's getting famous now. He doesn't feel unwell at the moment and he really enjoyed the night."

The £13,000 raised so far will go towards the costs of caring for James, possible treatment abroad and fulfilling some of James' childhood ambitions. Ten per cent of the total raised will got to the Samantha Dickson Trust which funds research into conditions like James'.

Your Guardian will keep you up to date on any future fund-raising events.