Mental Health Awareness Week Funds Raised 1/2

Thank you to everyone who supported The Wednesday Session’s Mind Cambridge benefit on the 13th May – what a great night! And thanks to all those who assisted from afar.

The focus for Mind Charity’s Mental Health Awareness Week campaign this year was ‘great mental health care is human’ – so, in this era of digital disconnection and AI driven dialogue, what better way to fundraise than at a live music event?

Music brings communities together, united in the sounds, the words, the vision and the vibe, from those that simply want to listen, chat or belt out the chorus, to those that love to dance, it’s all good for the soul. And it’s good for our mental and physical health, sharing in the moment, together we are stronger.

Our biggest thanks goes to all the fantastic artists who performed, without whom there would be no event. Special thanks to amazing John Wright for dedicating his regular and hugely popular Wednesday Session to fundraising for Mind Cambridge. Thanks to him, we enjoyed a stellar line up, a scintillating repertoire, featuring both covers and original songs, and the ever enthusiastic and friendly crowd Wednesday Session crowd.

The Wednesday Session house band kicked off with some favourites, with Johnny on lead guitar and vocals, Henry Baker on guitar/vocals, Robbie Stewart-Matthews on bass/vocals, Malek Hyde-Smith on drums, and Pete Towers on harmonica/vocals, all seamlessly delivered.

Second up, the Mark Shepherd Band who regaled us with pitch perfect tracks from their latest album, blending Americana vibes with thoughtful lyrics and beautifully crafted melodies.

Mark’s powerful vocals and lead guitar were beautifully complemented by Alex Tsentides on bass and Kev Walker on drums.

In the short break that followed the Mind Cambridge team should have won the prize for the fastest ever raffle delivery, a counterpoint to the last one at the Grapes, which went on… and on (we learn by our mistakes). Conversely we didn’t raise quite as much, however, for a mid-week event on a rain drenched night we did great. And what’s more important, a good night was had by all.

The total for the night added up to a very healthy £430 – thank you to all who donated their hard-earned cash as well as those who donated the prizes. Thanks too, to Jonno Stanford for, once again, being the king of raffle compères.

Jonno went on to ace it in the closing set, joining the Wednesday Session band on vocals, singing his heart out with a series of high energy tunes that set the dance floor alight.

We’re rounding this off with some thank yous for the brilliant, caring Mind team, including staff and volunteers: Laila, Alessandra, Fiona, Chris, also extra helpers on the night, Lynn, Sarah, Sara, Igor and Lewis. Thanks too to our lovely hosts for the second time, The Grapes.

It was great to have a professional photographer on board, thank you Andrew Milbourn for the fabulous shots on this page; and local music videographer Roger Murfitt offered to film again – footage to follow on our YouTube page, where we’ll also be loading some older tracks. Roger, you rock!

Last but by no means least our trusted flyer team, Will Hill Design and Cambridge-Printing.Com – check the poster that didn’t make the digital cut below (we never stop learning) – and finally Paul Christoforou at Cambridge Radio (entirely run by volunteers!) for helping us to spread the word via his fabulous Rock of Ages show.

Check back very soon for our other activities for Mental Health Awareness Week and the grand total raised for Mind Cambridge.

Join the mailing list for news or connect with us on our socials, linked on this page. Thanks for tuning in, take care of yourselves, so you can take care of others too, and here’s to the joy of music.