HE IS one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers.

Now Brian Conley will walk the boards to help raise thousands for a Southampton charity.

He will perform at the Daily Echo-backed Wessex Heartbeat High 5 appeal’s post-Christmas party while in the city for the leading role in The Mayflower Theatre’s pantomime, Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates. The event at the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton on January 10 will help the charity raise the final £100,000 needed to bring a new specialist cardiac unit for heart patients aged 16 to 30- years-old to Southampton General Hospital.

The new ward will help bridge the gap between children’s and adults’ heart wards for thousands of young people born with heart problems.

Currently babies and children are treated at Ocean Ward, but once they turn 16 they have to go to an adult ward where the majority of patients are elderly and have a different form of heart disease.

Brian Conley supported Wessex Heartbeat in November 2005 when he performed at their Laughter from the Heart event and has last year visited the city with the cast of Oliver! at The Mayflower.

Wessex Heartbeat’s commercial manager, Ken Wilde, said: “We are delighted and very grateful that Brian Conley is willing to support Wessex Heartbeat once again.

“The Comedy & Jazz Café will be a great evening entertainment from one of the UK’s top entertainers and an ideal opportunity for post-Christmas parties or just for people to come along and have some fun while they help our final push for the HIGH 5 Appeal”

Tickets are already on sale for the event, which starts at 8pm with entertainment from jazz singer Sandy Ince, also known as Sticky Toffee, before Brian Conley joins them at 10.30pm.

It costs £42 per person, which includes a three-course running buffet.

Tables of up to ten people can be booked in advance. Individuals and businesses are encouraged to book now to ensure they get a place.

Tickets:

Tickets are available through Wessex Heartbeat. For more information or to book, call: 023 8070 6095, email: info@heartbeat.org.uk or visit heartbeat.co.uk.

To Donate:

To donate, send a cheque addressed to Wessex Heartbeat to Wessex Heartbeat, PO Box 270,
Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6GE or call 023 8070 6095.