The College of West Anglia (CWA) hosted a fundraising gig for Camps International, organised by Springwood High School students, Louis Pitcher (15) and Isaac Mayes (16). Camps International established their own charity, ‘The Camps Foundation’, to provide additional support to their ongoing initiatives, meaning they’re able to fulfil their commitments and implement real change in South America, Africa and Southeast Asia.

The aim of the gig was to raise money for Louis and Isaac to take part in a 4-week expedition to Costa Rica, where they will be helping local communities to build sanitation blocks, homes and toilets. They are also hoping to battle against deforestation by re-planting trees, which will help to reform habitats for wildlife.

Three bands performed on the night, with ‘The Kicking Dolls’ opening the set, followed by CWA band Kartofel, ending with Louis and Isaac’s headlining band ‘Post Pending’. Band members range from 12 to 18 years old and all came together to support Isaac and Louis in their mission to go to Costa Rica.

Louis said: “We raised in total £160 from the gig. Family and friends came along to support us which was awesome. Hopefully, we are going to be hosting a couple more fundraisers over the next couple of months. It was a really good and enjoyable night”.

Both Louis and Isaac attend Play Up, a project aimed at teaching and building a youth music community in West Norfolk and allowing young musicians to meet one another, form bands, rehearse and play gigs under guidance. The project’s founder, John Kramarchuk, said:

“I would like to thank CWA for offering this opportunity to our musicians, and to the Norfolk Music Hub for funding the Play Up project. It was great experience for our youngsters to play on such a stage with in-house support. We’re looking forward to future gigs and finding more musicians. Thanks to everyone involved with this project”.

Louis and Isaac hope to raise £8,000 in total to travel to Costa Rica to carry out the humanitarian works. Keep an eye out for ‘Post Pending’ in future events, to help them achieve their volunteering dream.