Children's music charity, George’s Rockstars gets £500 boost from quiz at Titchfield pub
A charity quiz at the Sir Joseph Paxton pub, Titchfield has raised £500 for George’s Rockstars and this will help 20 children across the south. The charity provides music therapy for children in hospital and was set up by George’s parents, Amy and Craig O'Shaughnessy after losing him to leukaemia.
George was diagnosed in 2014 at just 22 months old and he passed away when he was six years old and he received music therapy whilst undergoing a bone marrow transplant at Bristol Children’s Hospital. He adored music and it was always the highlight of his week as it helped him to relax when he was frustrated and struggling with treatments. His parents saw the benefits first hand and wanted to help other parents and make more children smile through the power of music. They currently run music sessions to support children in eight hospitals across Hampshire, Dorset and Sussex and hope to bring music therapy to every children’s hospital ward in the UK.
Nation Radio South presenter, Gary Parker hosted the charity quiz on Wednesday 9th September, and 54 people competed in 11 teams, with The Musketeers taking first place after scoring 55 out of 70 points. This is the third quiz Gary has hosted for the charity and he said, “I want to thank everyone who supported the quiz, bought raffle tickets and donated prizes. It was a great evening, and I’m really pleased to support George’s Rockstars again as they do a fantastic job and help so many families. Making children smile is so rewarding and, as a radio presenter, music is close to my heart.”
George’s Mum, Amy said "Fundraising is really tough at the moment, and Gary’s quizzes are always popular as they’re so much fun! He’s already raised over £1,000 for George’s Rockstars so this quiz takes his total to £1,502. Altogether, his money will help 64 children and bring comfort, connection and smiles to them during some of their most difficult and frightening times in hospital. This is fantastic news and we can’t thank him enough.
I want to thank landlord, Dave Roseby too for holding the quizzes at the pub and he also supported the charity with his Three Peaks Challenge last year. Gary and Dave's kindness helps more children here in the south, which is lovely.”
Music therapy is not widely available in NHS hospitals, so children often have no access to any age-appropriate psychological therapies to help them process and come to terms with living with serious illness. George's parents were determined to change that, so they set up George’s Rockstars in 2020. You can find more information and ways to support the charity on georgesrockstars.com and you can contact Amy on [email protected]
The next charity quiz at the Sir Joseph Paxton pub is for another local children’s charity, Abby’s Heroes. It is on Wednesday 28th October - pop into the pub or phone / WhatsApp on 01489 571111 to book a table.
Gary Parker hosts a quiz at the pub every Wednesday with prizes, and other weekly events include a Meat Draw and ‘Open The Chest’ with the chance to win a cash prize. Gary also runs a digital marketing company and hosts Early Breakfast on Nation Radio South every weekday morning and Sunday Breakfast from 6 – 10am. He hosts a relaxing Chillout Masterclass on Nation Easy Radio from 10-12pm at weekends too.
His charity quizzes have raised over £50,000 for various good causes across the south, including Gosport And Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS), Cash for Kids, Abby’s Heroes, George’s Rockstars, Macmillan, the Kirsty Louise Streek Foundation, Butterflies Bereavement Support and the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. He also helped a local Scout who was fundraising to go to the World Scout Jamboree in 2027. You can contact him by email [email protected]