J'AIME JANUARY 2020

P E O P L E
Star visit is pure gold
POP STAR TONY HADLEY WOWED FANS ON A VISIT TO ST GILES HOSPICE
FOLLOWING A FUNDRAISING CONCERT IN LICHFIELD
TONY HADLEY LIVE AT LICHFIELD
CATHEDRAL. ARTWORK BY PETER
WALKER - SCULPTOR. PHOTO BY PETER
BLANCHFLOWER
Pop star and former Spandau Ballet frontman Tony
Hadley created a glow at St Giles Hospice when he
visited the Whittington site to hand over a £4,000
donation from the proceeds of his Lichfield Festival
charity concert at Lichfield Cathedral.
Tony said: “St Giles Hospice is an amazing place - I
didn’t know what to expect but I was bowled over.
It’s an incredible and beautiful building and the
staff have been so fantastic - their friendliness shines
through.
“St Giles is a really happy place with a beautiful
atmosphere and it’s been a real privilege to come
along and meet everybody. I’m full of admiration for
the work that they do.”
Backed by his six-piece band, Tony delighted fans
with a selection of his classic hits, songs from his new
album and a sprinkling of festive favourites, at Tony
Hadley Live last month. The concert was presented
by Lichfield Festival and Lichfield Cathedral,
sponsored by City Jewellers of Lichfield, in aid of
Lichfield Festival and St Giles Hospice.
Tony, who is a patron of Lichfield Festival, visited the
hospice with Festival chair Helen Wiser and
Festival director Damian Thantrey the following day
to hand over the cheque, and they were given a
tour of the facilities by St Giles Group Chief
Executive Emma Hodges.
Emma said: “Tony made such a difference at St Giles
during his visit. He was so generous with his time,
chatting by the bedside of three patients, who are big
fans.
“He struggled to leave our Day Hospice having been
given a huge hug by one of our ladies and chatting to
everyone there. He was clearly moved meeting a lady
who following the death of her husband and support
for her children from our Phoenix service had set up
a family support group.
“We’d like to thank Tony and everyone at Lichfield
Festival for their support and generosity which will
help to fund the £10m St Giles spends each year
caring for local people and their families.”
Helen Wiser, chair of Lichfield Festival, said: “Tony
is a fantastic Festival patron and we’re hugely
grateful for his support. Not only were we treated to
a fabulously entertaining and memorable evening
in the cathedral but his generosity through this
fundraising concert is a major boost for 2020.
“He really has become part of the whole Festival
community and it’s always a pleasure to see him in
the audience at summer Festival events.”
The 2020 Lichfield Festival will take place from July
9 to 19. See www.lichfieldfestival.org for details. For
more information about St Giles Hospice and the
care it provides, visit www.stgileshospice.com
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