Big names to take to stage at York's Grand Opera House for St Leonard's Hospice

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York drag queen Velma Celli is staging an event for St Leonard's Hospice reports MAXINE GORDON
YORK'S most famous drag queen is hosting a charity concert in memory of his mum and in support of St Leonard's Hospice.
Ian Stroughair (aka York drag queen Velma Celli) has joined forces with his friend Sarah Walker - daughter of the late Heartbeat author Peter Walker - to organise the show, titled Voices United: Rubies for our Angels.
It will take place at York's Grand Opera House on Friday July 18 at 7.30pm and star Velma Celli as well as Jess Steel, Stuart Allan, Joanne Theaker-Spencer, Laura Castle, and Jonny and the Dunebugs, among others.
Tickets are available from atgtickets.com
The evening of music will be in honour St Leonard's Hospice which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
York drag queen Velma Celli is organising a fundraiser for St Leonard's Hospice in July. Image supplied
Ian said: "My dear mum Pauline Kennington passed away after her battle with cancer eight years ago in St Leonard's Hospice. A horrible time made much easier by the wonderful kindness of the angels at St Leonard's.
"By awful freaky coincidence, my dearest friend Sarah Walker and her family lost their legendary dad and husband Peter Walker just weeks before my mum and then devastatingly so her precious sister Tricia Walker just months later. An utterly heartbreaking time for all."
Peter and Tricia Walker
Retired policeman Peter was better known as writer Nicholas Rhea, whose Constable series of books was turned into the hugely popular TV series Heartbeat.
Sarah said: "This will be a charity fundraising concert in memory of my dad, sister, and my Ian's mum who all died in St Leonard's Hospice York within months of each other. It is also the hospice's 40th anniversary, so we felt it a fitting time to do it this year."
She added: "Both Ian and I have long wanted to repay the hospice for the support our families received at the most difficult of times. Ian came up with the idea of a charity show after learning that St Leonard's receives just a quarter of its annual running costs from the NHS. The other six million pounds has to come from fundraising. We want to do our bit to help.'
All of the artists are donating their time and talent for free so as much money as possible will go directly to the hospice, added Ian.
Sarah Atkinson, community and events manager at St Leonard's said: "We're really excited about the upcoming Voices United evening at the Grand Opera House as we celebrate our 40th anniversary.
St Leonards Hospice in York Image: Supplied
"The compassionate care we provide at St Leonard's Hospice is only possible thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, and we very much appreciate the continued support. So, book your tickets for a glittering evening of entertainment and join us in celebrating both the talent and spirit that make our work possible."