LAST summer a line-up of pint-sized performers won over viewers of The Voice Kids with their vocal talents.
The junior version of the ITV talent contest proved a huge success winning rave reviews from those tuning in.
Judged by Will.i.am, Pixie Lott and McFly’s Danny Jones, the young contestants competed to win a Disneyland trip and a £30,000 scholarship. They also won the hearts of viewers who bombarded social media with their approval: "The voice kids is literally the best show I've watched in so long !!! I can not stop smiling ! They're all so amazing" said one viewer, whilst "Watching The voice kids & I'm crying because these kids are so amazing but I'm also crying because it's a realisation that I have no talent," said another.
Now performers from The Voice Kids- including winner Jess Folley, are taking to the stage at Thornden Hall, Chandlers Ford in support of a local charity.
Southampton-based U Support Children’s Charity will be hosting the fundraising concert on Sunday January 14 from 2.30pm until 6.00pm.
The show follows the success of an earlier fund raising concert at The Point in Eastleigh in September which raised £3,500 which was then match-funded to reach £7,000.
Winner Jess Folley is the 13-year-old winner of the first ever series of The Voice Kids UK, which aimed to uncover Britain’s next best young singing talent. Hailing from Essex, she was mentored by Pixie Lott and originally auditioned with Ain’t Got Far to Go. For her final performance, Jess stunned audiences with her powerful rendition of Beyonce’s Love On Top.
Also on Team Pixie was 13-year-old Riccardo Atherton from Lancashire who auditioned with Hallelujah. Courtney Hadwin, 12, from County Durham, performed Nutbush City Limits and was mentored by McFly’s Danny Jones.
Jessica Richardson performed Somebody To Love by Queen and Katy Perry’s Unconditionally to the nation, while 12-year-old Lewis Blissett from Swindon wowed songstress Pixie Lott with her own song Cry Me Out. Glamorgan youngster Sophia Burridge made Prince’s Purple Rain her own.
U Support, based in Southampton, make it possible for thousands of children with life limiting illnesses and disabilities to attend sporting and cultural events both locally and nationally.
Adam Gregory, CEO and founder of the charity said: "This amazing Charity Concert is to celebrate our 15th year of providing wonderful experiences for children suffering from life limiting illnesses, disabilities and those that are disadvantaged.We would love as many of the public to join us as possible.
"If children and their carer from any charitable organisation such as hospices, hospitals, charities, care homes/ social services or specialist schools would like to join us as our guests we would love to hear from them.
We would also like the public to nominate any deserving child by emailing adam@usupport.org.uk or phoning 023 8021 9040."
Adam said last September's concert with Voice Kids had been so popular that they have organised a string of dates including the 02 Academy, Bournemouth in June and a weekend at Winchester Theatre Royal in August.
U Support Children’s Charity is able to provide thousands of experiences each year as a result of fundraising such as this.
Tickets £16.50 with all proceeds going to U Support Children Charity. For tickets please phone 02380 246555 or online at http://bit.ly/voicekids18
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here