Rutland Rallies for Lorna's Legacy, Raising Nearly £10,000 for Children's Cancer Charity, Supershoes at Oakham Schools, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Video Highlights and Photographs

Rutland Rallies for Lorna's Legacy, Raising Nearly £10,000 

for Children's Cancer Charity, Supershoes 

at Oakham Schools, Queen Elizabeth Theatre,

Nyx Arielle on Stilts

Rutland Rallies for Lorna's Legacy, Raising Nearly £10,000 for Children's Cancer Charity

Oakham, Rutland – July 23, 2025 

The spirit of a local fundraiser, Lorna Grey, was vibrantly celebrated as the Oakham School's Queen Elizabeth Theatre hosted the inaugural Lorna's Legacy Rutland Variety Show. The event was a resounding success, raising nearly £10,000 for Supershoes, a small children's cancer charity, in a heartfelt tribute to Lorna.

Allan Grey, Lorna's husband and the driving force behind Lorna's Legacy, expressed immense gratitude for the overwhelming support. He confirmed that ticket sales alone generated over £7,000, with additional significant donations flowing directly to Supershoes through their website from those unable to attend. The evening was a poignant one, marking almost a year since Lorna's passing, and Allan was visibly moved by the turnout dedicated to remembering his wife.

The evening kicked off an hour before the main show with a bustling courtyard gathering. Attendees enjoyed refreshments and entertainment provided by Otter's Fine Foods and Ovation Wine who served delectable food and drinks, while the air buzzed with performances from Sing Out Rutland, who presented their "African Dream" repertoire, and Leicester magician Sean Curtis, who captivated the crowd with impressive close-up magic tricks. Nyx Arielle enchanted guests on stilts.

The show officially commenced at 7 PM, seamlessly compered in the style of the Eurovision Song Contest by Rob Persani of Rutland and Stamford Sounds and renowned speaker Caroline Aston.

Sarah White from Supershoes delivered a moving address, sharing personal anecdotes about Lorna Grey and expressing profound thanks to her family for their unwavering support. She highlighted the vital work of Supershoes, a charity that collaborates with volunteer artists to create bespoke, hand-painted "supershoes" for children battling cancer. Sarah emphasised that these unique shoes provide a crucial boost of confidence, joy, and encouragement for movement during an incredibly challenging time, stating that "Lorna witnessed first-hand the power of a pair of Supershoes."

A Night of Diverse Talent

The stage came alive with a rich tapestry of local talent, showcasing the vibrant arts scene in Rutland:

• The evening began on a cheerful note with The D'Ukes of Rutland, who performed a delightful selection of tunes on the ukulele and keyboard.

• Following them, music student Rachelle Bamber delivered a moving vocal performance, complemented by a flute solo, of "Bless This Show" and "Where the Lost Things Go."

• The Jazettes, a dance group founded by Diahann Berridge that brings together individuals with no prior dance experience, charmed the audience with two engaging performances.

• Darren Hall, performing as "Flying Solo," captivated the audience with his soulful vocals and guitar, delivering hits by George Ezra, Snow Patrol, and Elton John.

• The Rutland Youth Association Dads, a group formed in 2019 to support the CALM campaign, brought laughter and energy with their unique performance, known for "wobbling their bits."

• Soprano Sophie Hurst, of "Sophie's Voice," showcased her remarkable talent, having recently performed as the lead soprano in "The Sorcerer Opera" in Buxton.

• During the interval, Sing Out Rutland provided acapella entertainment in the courtyard, keeping the festive atmosphere alive.

The second half of the show continued with equally captivating acts:

• The Rutland Voices Choir, under the baton of Peter Davis, uplifted spirits with a cheerful selection of songs, including "Here Comes the Sun" and "Lovely Day."

• Hannah and Cally, performing as Mishap Theatre, brought tears of laughter with their hilarious clowning routine.

• The Vintage Singers transported the audience with classic hits and a humorous take on a Justin Bieber song.

• Nyx Arielle returned to the stage, mesmerising the audience with her fire performance set to music.

• Steve Foster delivered a powerful trumpet solo, followed by a beautiful duet with Peter Davis on keyboard.

• The Jazettes returned for a second performance, drawing the main part of the show to a close.

Before the grand finale, the Lorna's Legacy team, including Allan Grey, Diahann Berridge, Lorna's daughters Hanna and Lucy, and neighbours Liz, Wes, and Mark, took to the stage. Allan delivered a heartfelt tribute to Lorna and thanked the entire team for their immense contributions and support in bringing the evening to fruition.

The night culminated with a dynamic performance by Rutland favorites The Houndogs, who got the entire crowd on their feet, singing and dancing to a selection of their hits. The evening concluded with a well-deserved full standing ovation for all the brilliant performers and organizers who put together an incredible showcase of Rutland's heart and soul for a truly worthy cause.

Lorna's Legacy, established by Allan after her passing in April 2024, aims to perpetuate Lorna's lifelong dedication to fundraising. Despite living with the complications of Type 1 diabetes from the age of 11 and even suffering a brain hemorrhage, Lorna fearlessly bungee jumped, abseiled, and zip-lined to raise money for various causes. Her memory lives on through these ongoing efforts, inspiring others to give back.

Lorna's Legacy : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561380490022

Supershoes: https://www.supershoes.org.uk/