“Every good act is charity. A man’s true wealth hereafter is the good that he does in this world to his fellows.” – Moliere.
Forget Me Not – “La Ligue Contre Le Cancer” Charity Fundraiser
Sue Jones has a passion for charity work. She was born in the UK, is married to Roger and has two grown children. They have had a holiday home here in Cuxac for 16 years, and decided to retire here four years ago. Before that they lived in Windsor, near London. They love their more leisurely pace of life here in the Languedoc!
My Expat Life brings you, the story of a loving daughter…
“Mum got sick in 2008 with Alzheimer’s. It was devastating to watch her deteriorate before our eye. Like all terminal illness it can be a trying time for any family.
Finding cures for diseases like Alzheimer’s or cancer through fundraising efforts seems a good avenue to pay tribute to my mother and her legacy.
After retirement I started ‘Forget Me Not Charity’ concerts in March 2011 to raise money for research. My contacts in show business helped out and so it went. We managed to raise 60,000£ between these events.” Sue Jones
Sue’s professional biography
Sue Jones was trained at Elmhurst Ballet School, and went on to have a career as a professional dancer for 14 years. She spent the first few years dancing in Europe and Asia. She worked as a backup dancer with Johnny Hallyday at the Olympia theatre in Paris alongside Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Burden and the Animals. She then toured all the major cities in France and Switzerland with Johnny Hallyday. Other French artistes she danced with were Sasha Distel, Claude Francois and Mireille Mathieu.
On her return to England she did a season as lead dancer at the London Palladium. She made many appearances on ‘Top of the Pops’ as part of the group the ‘Beat Girls’, some of whom went on to become ‘Pan’s People’. Sue was lucky enough to be chosen to join the BBC’s dance group, The Young Generation, appearing in shows with the Two Ronnies, Cliff Richard, Vera Lynn, Cilla Black, Lulu and Tom Jones. She has danced in four Royal Variety Shows and was in two West End musicals.
In 1976 she started a Performing Arts School near Guildford in Surrey, England.
Expats in the Languedoc
“In Capestang and back home however, I have friends and family suffering from cancer and it seems a natural evolution to help friends in the Languedoc with the charity that benefits them the most.
The Grand Gala really is a grassroots community event, pooling our resources to make this happen. Fundraisers like this one give back to our host community we live in while making a real difference in the lives of people who are suffering.”
The importance of charity work
Here in France volunteering is part of everyday life. Most people donate their time to many different charities and associations to help better their community. It brings people closer together fighting for noble causes, and it gives many a sense of purpose and hope.
The Capestang and surrounding Anglophone community have united to raise money for the French La Ligue Contre Le Cancer but also have offered free accommodation to the performers and many are working directly with local figures like Pierre Polard, the mayor of Capestang, to ensure the event’s success.
Venue
The concert boasts an exciting and diverse program on Wednesday August 10th in Capestang in aid the French Cancer Society. These performers graciously are giving their time and talents for this worthy cause.
Principal Ballerina of the English National Ballet Company, American born Bridgett Zehr, is dancing the Dying Swan.
On the program, New Zealand Violinist Benjamin Baker, the winner of the International String Competition 2012 with Concert Pianist Robert Thompson
Here is the BBC Chorister of the year, Laurence Kilsby, singing Someone Like You! He comes from a musical family, and we are delighted to add this young star to the program.
For those of you who love Musical Theatre, we have a tribute to Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil with songs from Les Miserables and Miss Saigon.
Local performers from the Languedoc include, The International Choir of Capestang – director Sally Shaw and The Swing Easy Band.
And lastly the next generation of Gipsy music, Gipsy Kings Nouveau will be at the charity concert to support the local cancer society! It is a big family, with lots of cousins and nephews, so we are looking forward to hearing them play.
We hope you join us for what promises to be a magical evening of entertainment!!
Cost
20€/ticket with only a few seats left! Pay by cheque if possible, and we can give receipts!
To purchase tickets please contact Eva Hamori at thatshamori@gmail.com telephone #09 54 92 54 02 or Mallory Moore st newsonmoore@gmail.com or purchase your tickets at either Capestang Tabacs or the Vinauberge in Poilhes.
The Forget Me Not Charity Concert is sponsored by…
Gimié Winery, Angelique Cote Fleurs, La Croisade, and the Town Hall who generously donated the Nelson Mandela center and their equipment for the event.
The Foyer along with the Mairie are putting on La Légende de L’étang presentation where they project the story onto the collegial. It starts at 22:30, so you will have just enough time to walk over after the show! See you in the square.
We are taking donations at the door after the concert so bring your wallet!
AUCTION! Also this wedding dress in up for auction with all proceeds going to the cancer society fundraiser!
The Story behind the dress
Catherine Walker Wedding Dress – Couture.
Ivory Silk Crepe, silk lining, Height 5′ 6″, size 12 or petite 14.
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New Catherine Walker Wedding dresses cost between £9,000 and £50,000 – She was one of Princess Diana’s favourite designers, and wore over 500 of Catherine Walkers designs.
The Pattern made by Catherine Walker for the dress is also available for £200 but only if purchased with the dress, £1,000 for both.
The proceeds of this dress are being donated to Cancer Research and Alzheimer’s Society.
There are so many reasons to participate in this charity event, that this will surely be an unforgettable evening.
August 10th event went very well! 450 tickets were sold and hundreds of dollars were donated at the door for cancer. It was a good variety of venues with the children staying put in their seats the entire time! I am very pleased with Capestang, the Anglophones, the volunteers, the locals, and lastly the performers who so generously gave their time to the event!
La Ligue Contre Le Cancer – Charity Fundraiser
