At the end of September St George’s is hosting ‘From Darkness to Light’, a Gala Fundraiser evening on Saturday 30th September in aid of The Liberty Choir. Tickets can be purchased here.
Ross Bell, a former Captain serving in Iraq, returned with undiagnosed adjustment disorder leading him to make poor life decisions, including a large-scale VAT fraud, which resulted in a long prison sentence. In his first months in prison, frightened and alone, he discovered Liberty Choir – a full-circle charity where volunteers from the community form an integrated choir with prisoners every week, and support them on their release. The seeds of hope were planted which flourished in a delightful and unexpected way.
Ross discovered he had a voice! Not only could he sing (tenor) but he started to write: a weekly blog”The Man Inside” – then he was able to access a guitar which he learnt to play, wrote songs and now – many years of rehabilitation later – sings in a soul choir, has recorded an album, completed a masterclass in songwriting and has one of his songs covered by the Cuban Brothers.
“Liberty Choir was instrumental in changing the course of my life”
– Ross Bell
He and his wife, Vicky who were both born in Thanet and have lived in Ramsgate for the past 15 years, owe it all to Liberty Choir which offered him a hand up in his darkest days and every week, Vicky knew that her husband was safe and even happy for a few hours – priceless.
“I will never be able to fully express how much comfort and relief Liberty Choir gave to me and our children, to know that he had contact with the outside world, with people who were there with the sole purpose to connect with him and offer him unconditional support and positivity.”
– Vicky Bell
Now they and all their friends and family have formed the Ramsgate Liberty Choir Fundraising Committee to support the work which turned Ross’s life around and to help other serving prisoners find a way through their most challenging days and an even bigger challenge – for those who have no family left and have burned their bridges – to navigate life on the outside.
This gala event – FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT– links three incredible community choirs – Neptunes Choir, the work of the multi talented Naomi Hammerton, the amazing voice of Liberty Choir founder MJ Paranzino“a vocal powerhouse” and Ross Power Founder, Musical Director, Arranger and Vocal Leader of the London and Kent Soul Choirs who has joined forces with Ross Bell to form the band Rosko Piko – in St George’s Church, Ramsgate on Saturday September 30th from 6pm.
This Gala concert is the vision of Andrew Gibson, Festival Director for the Ramsgate Festival of Sound and true to form, Andrew will curate the evening and captivate his audience with his wonderfully unique style.
St. George's Church Ramsgate 