A MALVERN man is organising a series of gigs and concerts in a bid to raise money for residents in the county devastated by flooding in the last fortnight.
Malvin Hobbs, who runs Event Excellence on Newtown Road, has already confirmed the first night at the Talbot in Worcester on March 7.
Now he has called on the public to help make further gigs a reality ending in what he hopes will be a major concert at the end of the March.
Malvin was one of those who provided hours of flood relief support to residents in Worcester during the notorious 2007 floods as a volunteer with St John Ambulance.
He told the Observer: “I have seen what the floods leave behind and I know what they will leave behind this time.
“Once the floods have gone most politicians won’t want to know anymore but there will be plenty of families left with nothing. They will have to refurbish, redecorate, refloor and rebuild their lives. I can’t see people suffer like this again.
“I don’t want people reading about the grim news anymore, I want people reading that we are here and here to help.”
The Malvern Link resident now wants bands, singers and performers to come forward as well as volunteers to help put the nights on.
He said he is particularly keen for businesses to offer up venues and sponsor the events with all proceeds going to those who are now living with the aftermath of water damage.
“All you need to do is look out of your window and you can see what damage has been caused.
“These are our neighbours, our friends, people we know. I want as many local people to get involved with this as possible to support local families and businesses.”
Malvin said it was mainly the events in Worcester which had inspired him to organise the fund-raisers but he said the money could be given to anyone who had suffered in Malvern, Upton, Pershore and Evesham where there had been reports of flooding.
He urged residents and traders to contact him for help and welcomed direct donations of money or unwanted items which could be distributed to victims.
Joy Squires, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Worcester, has backed Malvin’s cause and provided him with advice to get the gigs off the ground.
The Worcester City councillor for Arboretum said: “I have been impressed by Malvin’s determination to help the Worcestershire communities so badly affected by flooding and to get his fund-raising efforts underway quickly.
“We are facing a massive clean-up operation now and those in my ward who were flooded have a lot of work on their hands to get back to normal.
“Some won’t have been out of their homes for ten days or more.
“I am sure they will welcome Malvin’s efforts to raise awareness of their plight and raise funds to help them out.”
Anyone who wishes to find out more and offer help can contact Malvin by emailing info@eventexcellence or calling 01684 439 764.
