An event taking place London is aiming to raise money to build a memorial to the Hillsborough disaster in Liverpool City Centre.
The event features four bands, a raffle, auction and speakers including Liverpudlian author and Football Editor of the Times, Tony Evans and impressionist Darren Farley.
HJC London Rock will take place on 15 September in The 500 capacity William Blake pub in London. The event is supported by the likes of Hollywood actor and former footballer Vinnie Jones and Kevin Sampson who wrote the film Awaydays – who have both donated items for the auction. Other supporters include Walton MP Steve Rotheram – who won the Politics Home MP Speech of the Year 2011 for his speech preceding the Hillsborough debate in the House of Commons – and Scot Williams, who starred in Jimmy McGovern’s dramatization of the disaster, as well as the film Backbeat.
A large contingent of Liverpool fans in the capital and it is hoped that this event will give many an opportunity to come together and raise money for a worthwhile cause.
The evening starts with a screening of the 5.00pm kick-off Sunderland vs Liverpool match, followed by food, bands, speakers (including the impressionist Darren Farley) and a raffle and an auction of memorabilia, finishing around midnight.
Organiser, Kris Wyatt, said: “Many Liverpool fans in London who were lured by the team’s success on the pitch or perhaps are expats working down in London rarely get the opportunity to get together en-masse. This event is about bringing fans together to raise money for a great cause.”
“I find it amazing that 23 years on from that tragic day, we still do not have a memorial to Hillsborough in Liverpool city centre. Hopefully, through the kindness of those who have donated their time or items to auction, and through people buying tickets, we will raise enough money to help make that a reality.\”
The event comes just days after the Hillsborough Panel is due to report back after spending the last two and a half years studying official papers relating to the 1989 disaster.
Tickets for the event are priced at £15 (£10 for unemployed/OAP/students) with every penny raised going to the fund for the memorial. Items available for raffle and auction include a signed pictures, balls and shirts, a day shadowing Tony Evans at the Times newspaper and Vinnie Jones’ Hollywood Allstars football shirt, which he has written “JFT96, Be Good, Vinnie Jones”.
To buy tickets or find out more information, please visit www.HJCLondonRock.com
INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT:
The event features four bands;
• The Troubadors – an award winning band that previously featured in Q magazine’s ‘10 best new acts’, have appeared at V Festival and supported Paul Weller.
• The Verdict – a band from Liverpool and winners of the ‘Rock the House’ award hosted by the House of Commons. They have also recently appeared on the BBC.
• Contra – a rock covers band playing a selection of classic rock favourites.
• Billy the Kid – acoustic duo from King\’s Lynn in Norfolk playing cover versions of popular songs.
Food is incorporated in the ticket price and will be prepared by chef Christian ‘Crunch’ Jarvis. Fullers brewery will be donating £1 from every bottle/pint sold at the event to the fund for the memorial.
Confirmed speakers at the event include:
• Darren Farley – an impressionist who has featured on Soccer AM, Channel 5, Setanta sports, BBC MOTD Kickabout Granada reports and LFC TV as well as making appearances on numerous other football related TV and radio shows.
• Neil Ruddock – Former LFC defender and after-dinner speaker.
• Tony Evans – Liverpool FC fan, Football Editor of The Times Newspaper and author of “Far Foreign Land”: Pride and passion the Liverpool way. Tony is also the former leader of the brass section in “The Farm”.
FACTS ABOUT THE MEMORIAL
Despite having a memorial at Anfield, there is no memorial to those killed or affected by Hillsborough in Liverpool city centre.
Local sculptor, Tom Murphy, has designed a monument in clay – soon to be cast in bronze, which will honour those tragically killed on 15 April 1989.
Measuring seven feet tall and taking over six months to create, the finished work will cost over £152,000 to be made.
The Hillsborough Justice Campaign are behind the project and have contributed £37,000 but are welcoming donations to help reach the target.
AUCTION ITEMS:
For the latest auction items, please visit: http://www.hjclondonrock.com/auction/
Current items include:
• Vinnie Jones’ Personal Hollywood Allstars shirt signed “JFT96” by him
• A signed copy of the script for the film Flight Redirected that both Vinnie Jones and Scot Williams are starring in
• Liverpool themed artwork by graphic artist Wizywig
• Rome 1977 – European Cup Winning squad photo – hand signed by all 20 players and backroom staff in the picture
• Bill Shankly Bronze created by Tom Murphy
• Hand signed mounted photograph of Kevin Keegan
• Autographs of Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League winning team
• Signed books by the writer of the film Awaydays, Kevin Sampson
• A ball signed by the 2012 Carling Cup winning squad
• 80’s Casuals shirts, books and caps
• Ball signed by players past and present including Rush, Fowler, Owen and Gerrard
• Watch a Liverpool match from a hospitality box at Anfield.