Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
Sam Volpe

Joe McElderry speaks about mental health as he announces Durham Cathedral fundraising gig

South Shields performer and former X-Factor winner Joe McElderry has announced he will be throwing a special charity gig at Durham Cathedral this autumn to raise money for a local mental health charity.

Joe is to perform on November 19 in aid of If U Care Share - the County Durham charity for which he is an ambassador. The charity, set up by the family of Daniel O'Hare following his sudden death 17 years ago, works to deliver suicide prevention support, mental health awareness, and help for those bereaved by suicide.

Joe has been an ambassador for the charity for several years now. In announcing the gig, he spoke about his own mental health. He said: "I think mental health awareness is a really important thing and what the charity does and continues to do is incredible."

Read more: Families tell CQC how restraints 'injured our loved ones' at Lanchester Road Hospital

Discussing what had helped him with his own mental health, the star said: "Being honest with how you feel. You have nothing to be ashamed of and if you let people know how you feel, then they can always help you.

"A favourite quote of mine - and one I did use in a song - is, 'Don't wait for the storm to pass, learn to dance in the rain.' Sometimes life does throw challenging times at you and if you can find little happy moments in those challenging times it can be really helpful."

Joe said he was really looking forward to the gig - with all proceeds going to the charity - and said he knew "it's going to be a really special evening" and "a celebration of the charity and the work they do".

To find out more about the gig and buy tickets, visit bit.ly/joeatthecathedral

READ NEXT:

  • Inside the new £24m Freeman Hospital building which is hoped will slash waiting times
  • Top consultant says North East has 'double the rate' of epilepsy compared to 'posh areas of London'
  • Parents launch playground fundraiser after 30 North Tyneside SEND children moved to a 'satellite' school site
  • NHS staffing crisis: Lack of consultants means 'rota gaps' could be filled by specialist nurses in Newcastle
  • Horrifying' North East suicide rate is twice as bad as London's - amid further calls for Levelling Up of mental health
  • Sign up to read this article
    Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
    Already a member? Sign in here
    Related Stories
    Top stories on inkl right now
    Our Picks
    Fourteen days free
    Download the app
    One app. One membership.
    100+ trusted global sources.