Countdown begins to charity music festival

Organisers pledge profits to mental health charity Cam-mind

The countdown has begun to Mid-Anglia's only charity music festival — the Fordham Festival — in aid of local mental health charity Cam-mind.

Organisers of the three-day rock event, which takes place near Fordham village on 10, 11 and 12 August, are hoping to raise hundreds of pounds towards support services for local people experiencing mental health problems.

Eighties Ska band Bad Manners, and rock bands Zodiac Mindwarp and the Love Reaction and the Neville Staples Band are all headlining the three-day rock event, which is already attracting interest from across the country.

It is the fourth year running that Fordham couple Mark and Angie Lee have organised the event — inspired partly through their passion for music and partly by their determination to raise funds for and awareness of mental health problems.

Their chosen charity, Cam-mind, is the longest established mental health charity in Cambridge and provides a range of day services, one-to-one befriending and supported housing to local people experiencing mental health issues.

“One in four people in this country experience mental distress at some time in their lives and yet mental health remains a subject which many people find it difficult to talk about or understand,” says Angie Lee. “A number of people we have come across, including friends and members of my own family, have had to deal with problems such as depression and schizophrenia, and we have seen how important it is to have support within the community.”

“Cam-mind has been supporting people on their road to recovery for nearly a century, and is doing a fantastic job. This is a really worthwhile cause and we hope that this festival will raise awareness of what they do as well as funds to help them finance the services they offer.”

She adds that by supporting Cam-mind she also hopes to help raise awareness of the reality of mental health problems generally, and to dispel some of the myths that are commonly associated with mental illness.

“People experiencing mental illness often feel isolated and alone — feelings which can be intensified as a result of the treatment they receive from others. Discrimination and stigma are among the biggest barriers to recovery. We hope we can do our bit to challenge myths and misunderstandings wherever we can.”

Music at Fordham Festival will be performed on two stages and includes more than 30 different acts, spanning a wide range of musical tastes. Other attractions include stalls, international cuisine, real ales and children’s entertainment. Please come & support this worthwhile course!!

“This festival promises to be a really great weekend of music and entertainment — with something for everyone,” says Angie. “So please do join us in support of this worthwhile cause.”

Further information and tickets (day and weekend) for the festival are available through the website — www.fordhamfest.co.uk — or by calling 01638 721438.

FOR PIC OPPORTUNITIES OR FOR FURTHER PRESS INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT ALY ANDERSON AT CAM-MIND ON O1223 311320 OR ANGIE LEE ON 01638 721438.