A charity concert in aid of Ross for Refugees is being organised by Ed O’Driscoll, founder of Ross Gig Club. Five-piece folk group, Magpie Lane will play at the concert, which will be held on June 11th at The Venue in Ross-on-Wye, from 7.30pm.

Specialising in traditional English songs and dance tunes, Magpie Lane mix powerful vocals with inventive acoustic arrangements. The band, who celebrate their 25th anniversary next year, are unique in the fact that each member is both a vocalist and an instrumentalist, creating an exceptional experience.

“Magpie Lane are great entertainment,” says Jenny Bancroft, fundraiser for Ross for Refugees. “They are a great night out and should not be missed.”

The quintet have agreed to give their time and their talent free of charge, which means that all the money raised will be going to Ross for Refugees, a local group which formed in September last year, after images of a drowned Syrian refugee boy, washed up on a beach, hit the UK’s media.

Ross for Refugees was founded by Ruth Worgan and Gemma Jones and the group quickly attracted a large local following, with local residents eager to do something to help refugees in Europe.

Members of the group have travelled to camps in Northern France to deliver donated items such as coats, tents, food and other essential items. They also helped to construct more permanent shelters. The group also regularly collect donations within Ross-on-Wye and the surrounding area. Since last year, Ross for Refugees have managed to raise over £6000 that has been used to buy building materials, solar lamps and other much-needed items for refugees living in the camps.

Ed told the Ross Gazette: “I think they’re a group of very caring and compassionate people in the local community.” He explained that he has been a friend of the group for many months now, but this is the first fundraising event that he has organised for them.

“They’ve seen the plight of the young people living in the camps in Calais and Dunkirk,” Ed said. “They take over valuable resources, and I think they represent a lot of good in the community.”

Tickets to the concert cost £10. To book, contact 01989 566644, email [email protected], or visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/rossforrefugees.

You can also buy tickets from The Globetrotter Coffee House in Broad Street and River Music in Brookend Street.