Multi-platinum selling BRIT Award winning Gabrielle to perform at forces' ball

Multi-platinum selling, BRIT Award-winning singer and songwriter Gabrielle is to perform at a major fund-raiser in honour of lifesavers who battle to save wounded war heroes.

Pop fans will know Gabrielle from hits Dreams, Going Nowhere, Give Me a Little More Time, Walk on By and If You Ever - the duet with East 17 - as well as Out of Reach from the soundtrack to the film Bridget Jones's Diary.

Gabrielle has won two BRIT Awards, the first in 1994 for British Breakthrough Act, and the second in 1997 for Best British Female. She is currently recording a brand new album for 2017 which will be her first studio album in 10 years.

Former soldier Johno Lee, of Coddington, is staging the ball with national charities Blesma, which supports limbless veterans, and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.

It will raise money for both charities and aims to honour them and the medics whose skills saved the lives of Servicemen wounded in Afghanistan, Iraq and other conflicts.

It is ten years since Johno, 34, then a Lance-corporal with the Yorkshire Regiment, was so badly injured in an explosion in Afghanistan that his heart stopped twice.

He was blown into a minefield in Helmand Province where he lay for two hours, refusing to allow comrades to approach until a safe path was cleared.

His heart stopped on the helicopter evacuating him to hospital at Camp Bastion and again on the operating table, but each time the skill of the medics and his will to live brought him back.

His right leg was amputated below the knee and he now wears a prosthetic limb.
Johno, from Coddington, is now a married father-of-two and an elected member of Newark and Sherwood District Council.

It is ten years since he was blown up and he says it is now time to give something back.

He said the skill and heroism of those who ensured the badly injured survived was sometimes overlooked.

Veterans at the ball will include Ricky Fergusson, who returned four times to rescue comrades injured in a bomb blast, before he lost both legs and an eye in another blast.His actions earned him the Military Cross.

Members of Johno’s unit, who were with him when he was blown up, will also be there and it is hoped the signalman who arranged his rescue will also attend.

Veterans will be joined by medics and charity workers.

Johno said: "It's fantastic to have Gabrielle performing. She's the headline act we wanted. It'll be an amazing night. It's time for me to give something back and it is my hope that the people of the Newark area, who have always held our Armed Forces in the highest esteem, will turn out in their droves to help me raise as much money as possible for our national heroes."

The organisers are hoping to book a big-name singer to lead the entertainment at the black-tie ball. Already confirmed is magician Shane Sterling, a former Serviceman who has performed for the royal family; military buglers and other entertainers.

Serving or ex-military personnel will get a £5 discount on the £50 ticket price for the ball on September 9 at the Cedric Ford Pavilion at Newark Showground.

Early-bird tickets of a table of ten costs £450 and 350 tickets are available. The early bird offer will last for two weeks and after prices go up.

One of the top auction prizes is an afternoon with Army helicopter crews, including a flight.

Businesses are being urged to support the event with other prizes and donations.

The night will feature a Prosecco reception, three-course dinner, live music and raffle.

More information is at the Unsung Heroes Ball website.