YOUNG musicians at Middlesbrough’s myplace youth centre are staging a special festival in honour of a fellow member who died last year.
Abbi Steedman was a popular figure in the Thursday evening mixed ability youth sessions, with the group going on to secure funding from The Big Music Project.
At their first project meeting Abbi’s fellow musicians decided they wanted to celebrate her life by organising a musical festival in her memory.
With the blessing of Abbi’s parents they are putting on the #forever 15 festival on Thursday, May 25, featuring performances of Abbi’s favourite songs and sets by invited local bands.
The young people have been hard at work fund-raising, with James Cocker raising more than £100 by climbing Mount Olympus in Cyprus, and Orlagh O’Byrne contributing a further £500.
The donations have contributed to the creation of a mural in memory of avid Boro fan Abbi featuring the Boro badge and signed by some of the team.
Also attending Thursday’s 6pm to 8pm event will be the Cleveland Police Interceptors, Apollo Arts and official MFC drummers with a performance of Pig Bag.
There will also be face painting and a barbeque – the event is free of charge and all are welcome.
myplace Manager Tracey Smith said: “Abbi was very popular member, and her death greatly affected her many friends at myplace.
“It left many of them feeling sad and lost – but coming together to host and perform the #forever 15 festival has created a real buzz, and helped them channel their grief into something really positive in Abbi’s memory.
“They’ve worked incredibly hard to make this a great event, and they’ve really done Abbi proud.”