Withington Girls’ School pupils shone at Manchester Cathedral as they performed in a charity concert to raise proceeds towards social development projects in The Gambia.

Held on Saturday 23rd September, the event drew a large and enthusiastic audience, bringing together the Withington and wider community for an unforgettable night of music, unity and generosity.

The concert was organised by Year 12 student Anika Ramesh, a member of the WGS The Gambia Team, who engineered the event whilst working towards her GCSEs and also starring in the school production of Sister Act as Sister Mary Robert. This year’s fundraising team compèred the event, assembled luxury hampers and coordinated the performers, ensuring the night’s success.

There was an array of outstanding performances by Withington pupils and other youth musicians, many of whom are a part of distinguished musical groups such as the Halle Youth Choir, Junior RNCM and the National Childrens’ Choir of Great Britain. The audience enjoyed a captivating blend of solo acts and group performances, but at the heart of it all was the desire of continuing the many years of partnership between Withington and social development projects in The Gambia.

“The 14 students in The Gambia Team would like to say a huge thank you to staff, parents and students for supporting what was a fantastic evening of entertainment at Manchester Cathedral on Saturday night,” said Kaeren Browning, Withington’s The Gambia Coordinator.

She added: “A special mention must go to Anika who spent eight months planning the occasion and learning the complicated process of event management, and judging by its success, a possible future career for Anika! Proceeds from this event along with other fundraising initiatives by the Team will support the teaching staff, nursery children and local community at the Mama Tamba Nursery school in Illiassa.

“Through corporate sponsorship, ticket sales, luxury hamper raffles and donations, the final total raised by Broadway and Beyond is over £8,500.”

The group of student fundraisers will visit the west African country in December and experience first-hand the impact this event makes towards advancing educational opportunities in remote rural locations, the aim of this two-decade partnership. You can read more about Withington’s work in The Gambia through the comprehensive expedition history at https://www.wgs.org/partnerships/the-gambia/expedition-history/2022-2/