24-hour music marathon in Swindon town centre – Swindon Advertiser

A 24-hour music marathon is set to take place in Swindon on May 10 to raise money for Prospect Hospice.
The marathon will take place inside the Immanuel United Reformed Church on Upham Road in Swindon.
Rachel Berbidge, 53, from Swindon is organising the event which takes place from Saturday May 10 at 9am until 9am Sunday 11 May.
She spoke about the event and said: „We have various performers from solo pianists to swing bands and they are of all ages, with the youngest being six and the oldest being in their 80s.
„The response has been overwhelming, there is enough to do 36 hours of music so the church are opening up the choir room for a few hours and the church hall to make up space for everyone who wishes to perform.
„Every age, every style from amateur performers to professionals will be there including Paul Turner, who is doing two piano recitals. 
„We are fortunate to have Janice Thompson Performance Trust perform and Janice herself will be playing too.“
Anyone is allowed to attend the event, free of charge as music will be playing all the way through the night.
Each performer has paid £1 along with their application to play, which all goes towards Prospect Hospice.
Many performers have started their own JustGiving pages along with the 24-hour marathon page to help raise more money. 
Rachel spoke about the goal she set for this event: „We did a 24-hour music marathon before in 2014, where we raised money for Brighter Futures and we ended up raising £15,000, which was incredible.
„At the time we said it would be a one-time only thing but then myself and Dawn, who is Swindon-born, decided we wanted to raise money for Prospect.
„We had heard about the crisis in hospice funding last year and the £1 million budget deficit, so we want to help that situation with Prospect Hospice.“
Rachel will be performing during the night too and will be staying up for the entire 24 hours of music playing.
She also mentioned that local volunteers will be there on the day at places like Tesco are donating supplies so there will be hot drinks and cakes on offer.
Heidi Alexander MP is also expected to make an appearance during the marathon.
The JustGiving page for the event can be found here: 24hr Music Marathon is fundraising for Prospect Hospice
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