A buskers night raising funds for the Turkey and Syria earthquake appeal will be held at one of North East's most iconic pubs.
The oldest pub in North Shields, the Low Lights Tavern, is renowned for championing local musicians and has a special connection to the region's very own Sam Fender. The pub also holds the popular Bongo Bobs Buskers Night every Monday and the pub's next buskers night will be even more significant as vital funds are hoping to be raised for the Turkey and Syria earthquake appeal.
Kicking off at 9pm on February 13, the fundraiser, which has been organised by owner of Orbis Support Limited and benefactor, Nigel Devine, is set to be one of many events that aim to raise money and support for the people of Turkey and Syria who have been impacted by devastating earthquakes. It is a free entry event and all the money that is collected on the evening will be dished out to charities connected to the appeal.
Robert Webster, who runs the Bongo Bobs Buskers nights, said: This is going to be the first of a few fundraising nights on the Quayside. There's quite a few local pubs that are interested in putting on events to raise money. The Low Lights event is going to be held at our regular buskers night and money has been donated already, which is a good start."
Robert added: "With the buskers nights, we never know who is going to turn up. Over the last few weeks, we've had some amazing buskers in. The most we've had in one night is 17 and there seems to be a lot of support for tomorrow night so I'm expecting quite a good turn out."
The Low Lights is cherished within the North Shields community, and local hero Sam Fender spent time working behind its bar before being discovered there by his manager Owain Davies. The musician, who also used to take part in open mic nights at the pub, holds the tavern in such high esteem he donated his Brit awards to be used as beer pumps.
Thousands of people have been killed in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake which hit Turkey and Syria this week, with thousands more still missing. As the crisis in Turkey and Syria deepens, those joining the relief efforts include 12 crew members from the London Fire Brigade and 76 search and rescue specialists being sent by the UK Government with state-of-the-art equipment and four specially trained dogs.
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