Katie Doherty Lourdes Fundraiser Concert

By Harry Baker

The fundraising evening with Katie Doherty & her backing group ‘The Navigators’, on Saturday 23 September at The  Chapel on the Hill in  Brunswick Street Whitby was an outstanding success. The event raised over two thousand pounds towards the Lourdes fund.

The superb acoustics of the Brunswick centre, a former Methodist church built in 1891, contributed to the enjoyment of over a hundred people who attended the benefit concert.

Katie asked us to join her by dancing with her young son, unphased by the large crowd, who were gradually encouraged to join in.

Kate played two sets with an interval allowing time for the purchase of refreshments & raffle tickets and with the chance to win a prize from the wonderful array of prizes lined up on display & with all the money raised going to good causes who could resist participating?

Best known nowadays for her work with theatre, Katie has composed music for countless shows for companies like the RSC, Northern Stage and most recently the award winning rural touring musical ‘beyond the end of the road’ produced by November Club. As a performer Katie has toured with and supported artists such as Kathryn Tickell, Karine Polwart, Ray Davies and Nitin Sawhney. Her songs are food for the soul, Prepare for them to stay with you…

Katie’s latest project is a collaboration with fellow North East based musicians Dave Gray and Shona Mooney.

Fr P Keogh, a veteran of performing at fundraising events, has in the past, raised thousands of pounds for good causes singing with his band ‘The Chancy Brothers’. Fr Pat stood up towards the conclusion of the evening and to the delight of the audience entertained us with a couple of songs accompanied by Kate & the band including his favourite song ‘A Jug of Punch’, in a last minute attempt to steal the show.

A big thank you to Kate and her musicians ‘The Navigators’ and to all who supported this event and in turn supported our sick pilgrims who will benefit from to help get them to Lourdes £2000.30 was raised from this very enjoyable social gathering.

All proceeds in aid of Middlesbrough Diocese Lourdes Pilgrimage Sick Fund.

Photographs by Winnie Moran