Hastings Beatles Day is great success despite being cancelled

Beatles Day sees local musicians and bands performing material by the Fab Four in a day long festival to raise money for charity.

The event, which attracts thousands of people, is celebrating is 20th year and still went ahead in virtual format.

Volunteers, along with local Facebook group Isolation Station Hastings stepped in to save the day. The event went ahead as an online live stream on Sunday evening, and was viewed by thousands live.

Among the more than 20 performers taking part from their living rooms, spare rooms and basements were Liane Carroll and Roger Carey, King Size Slim, Helen Sharpe, Daniel Earwaker and Mike Willis.

Robin Redsull, Hastings Beatles Day 2020 organiser, said: “Thanks to all of the musicians who took part for so generously giving their time, to Rachel Spinetti for being such a wonderful presenter, and to Gillian Payne, Chris Beveridge and everyone at Isolation Station Hastings for their hard work in putting it all together.

“I also want to thank Hannah Deeble who organised the programme for the original event and put us in touch with the musicians.”

Dan, of Isolation Station Hastings says; “Hastings Beatles Day 2020 was a brilliant fun night.

“It really shows how we can come together online at short notice and make something great happen. We’d love to help other local events move online and encourage organisers to get in touch through our Facebook page.”

Hastings Beatles Day 2020 has so far raised £1,220 for The Sara Lee Trust, which will use the funds to support vulnerable local people affected by cancer and other life threatening illnesses during the lockdown.

The Trust’s usual services have been suspended to protect patients at this time, but instead it is offering vital counselling support both by telephone and through online videoconferencing.

The Trust is also trialling group online mindfulness and yoga sessions, to be rolled out soon.

Service user “Anna” says; “I am so grateful that you can still be there for me even though things are so difficult right now. Thank you!”

If you missed Hastings Beatles Day 2020 Online, don’t despair! You can still watch it in full at www.facebook.com/isolationstationhastings where you can also make a donation to support The Sara Lee Trust.

The Sara Lee Trust says that planning for Hastings Beatles Day 2021, to be held on Sunday 11th April, 2021, is already well in hand.

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