Champion concert to raise brass for heroes

Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band

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Hundreds of people attended an evening of ‘Champion Brass’ in aid of Help for Heroes.
 
The concert, which featured Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band - the National Champion Band of 2011 - was held at the Gracie Fields Theatre on Saturday night and was a complete sell out.
 
The evening - organised and sponsored by Sandifords – was also attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Councillor Alan Godson and Gillian Brown and HM Lord-Lieutenant Mr Warren Smith.

The audience enjoyed a surprise ‘neon’ performance from the The Corps of Drums of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers at the start of the evening before various performances from the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band.
 
Mr Sandiford said he and his wife, Janet, had been touched by the images of soldiers on the TV and wanted to support them. Adding, “100 per cent of the proceeds will go to Help for Heroes.”
 
This isn’t the first time Mr Sandiford has organised a concert, when he was President of the Rotary Club of Rochdale East he organised a concert which involved the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band and decided to do something similar again.

Mr Sandiford added: “It has just been fantastic, the support we have had from the general public has been brilliant, as has the support of local businesses.”
 
Following on from the success of the evening, Mr and Mrs Sandiford hope to hold similar events in the future for various charities.
 
Mr Sandiford concluded: “It is something we have really enjoyed doing.”
 
The total amount raised from the evening is expected to be announced in the next few days.