Sell-out concert raises cash for hospital unit campaign

6:05pm Wednesday 9th April 2008

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MORE than 100 people flocked to see a York singer-songwriter and two talented teenagers perform at a charity gig in aid of The Press's Guardian Angels appeal.

One of the highlights of the sell-out event, at the basement bar at City Screen last night, was York artist Ruby Paul's moving first public performance of a song called Guardian Angel, which she composed especially for the evening.

The mother-of-two, whose York gig followed a string of performances in Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon and two nights in London, was joined by 16-year-old Natasha Merritt and 17-year-old Bethan Ratcliffe.

Ruby auditioned seven girls in a competition, called Search for the Voice of an Angel, to find her a supporting act for the concert.

She chose Natasha, a pupil at Huntington School, as the winner and Bethan, a classically trained singer from Bootham School, was runner-up. Both girls said they were "nervous" and "excited" before their performances.

The three singers joined each other on stage to sing the fittingly titled song Opportunity, which was also composed by Ruby.

She said: "The two girls have been really, really good and they have both improved along the way since I first heard them."

She said they were hoping to raise about £500 in total, about £300 of which would come from ticket sales.

A DVD of the night, which will be available to buy on the internet at www.rubypaul.com, will raise funds for our appeal, and Ruby, who has been compared with Beverley Craven and Claire Teal, will donate 50 per cent from her CD sales at last night's event.

Natasha has also produced a CD of her own original songs, and 50 per cent of the takings from last night will also go to Guardian Angels, which aims to raise £300,000 to fund a lifesaving high-dependency unit for children at York Hospital.

It will give youngsters immediate access to the best facilities in the area and will mean far fewer children will have to be transferred to hospitals farther afield in cities such as Hull or Leeds.

Ruby said: "As a mum, I know that the life of your children is the most precious thing. This new unit will be a safety guard, so that if something does go wrong with your child, you know you've got the very best facilities on your doorstep."

She added: "I wanted to support Guardian Angels because I had my baby through IVF and although Jennifer was a healthy baby, I can identify with parents who have been through the mill.

"I want to offer my support to other mothers, and I felt this was a good way of doing so."

* To make a donation to the appeal, send cheques or postal orders made out to The Press Guardian Angels appeal, to Guardian Angels, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN.

You can also help fund the new unit by logging on to www. comfortzonetheband.com and downloading Guardian Angel, a charity single that is raising money for our appeal.