Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson and singer Jersey Budd are urging readers to support the Leicester Mercury LOROS Appeal. The appeal to raise funds for an extension at the hospice has raised more than £200,000 in five months but there is still £250,000 to go. Pearson, who became a patron of the hospice last month, is encouraging people to sponsor our reporter Gemma Peplow, who heads off on a fund-raising trek along the Great Wall of China next month. Jersey, who played a triumphant hometown gig at Leicester University over Easter, is also backing the cause. He has announced he will play at our first Summer Sundae Showcase gig to collect funds next Saturday. Our appeal is raising money for the hospice Willow Wing extension, which has increased the single-bed rooms at the hospice from eight to 19.
Speaking following a squad tour of the hospice, Pearson said: “I know about the Mercury’s involvement with LOROS and the appeal and I think the trek is a great idea. We are certainly giving Gemma our backing, the club wholly supports her trek. It will hopefully raise a lot of awareness for what is a fantastic cause. I’d like to encourage people to sponsor Gemma and wish her luck.”
Pearson is no stranger to physical fund-raising challenges himself. He cycled from Newcastle to Carlisle with fellow patron and Leicester City legend Alan Birchenall, as well as members of the club’s backroom staff, raising more than £3,000 for LOROS in November. “Again, that was about raising not just money, but awareness about LOROS, which is such a worthwhile cause,” he said. Leicester City have also offered a private tour of their training ground and a meet and greet with players as a raffle prize at the gig.
Jersey and his band are making time to play the gig, at Firebug, between shows with Amy MacDonald, Ocean Colour Scene and Tiffany Page. He will play alongside some of Leicester’s biggest acts – Uncle Frank and Fatal Star, Autohype and Charlie and the Martyrs. Jersey, of Countesthorpe, said: “If Gemma’s prepared to do the trek then I’m prepared to play a gig – I don’t really fancy trekking 120km myself.”
The gig, presented by our entertainment guide The Week and local internet music forum Pineapster, will be a preview to the Summer Sundae Fringe Festival, which features local acts performing the night before the main festival starts.
Organised by Gemma and Fringe Festival director Andy Black, the show will take place at Firebug, in Millstone Lane, on Saturday, April 24. All proceeds from the night will sponsor Gemma, who will complete the 120km trek with her sister, Nicki.