FOOTBALL REACHING OUT FOR AFRICA (FROFA) at the Royal Albert Hall

FROFA which took place on the 23rd September was organised by Patti Boulaye.

The show was directed by Dougie Squires (www.dougiesquires.co.uk) and produced by Major Sir Michael Parker KCVO, CBE with Associate Producer Stephen Komlosy (Chairman of TOMCO ENERGY PLC). Noel Tredinick conducted the choirs with Associate Conductors Jane Smith and Christopher Eastwood.

Anthony J Britton came on board as Musical Director of the event and was accompanied by musicians Paul Purcell, Vinzenz Benjamin and James Maddison.

The Artists were introduced on stage by Simon callow, Angie Best, Lord Brian Mawhinney, Lord Greville Janner QC (SFA Patron), Frederick Forsythe CBE (SFA Patron). Opening prayers were said by Father Andrew Hughes Dom (SFA Patron), Father Anthony Parsons OCD (St. Joseph’s Parish Gerrards Cross) and Pastor Erica Douglas (V2V).

The evening was wonderfully introduced by one of Britain’s best actor/director Simon Callow, and Christopher Biggins who very kindly stepped in to conduct the auction.

Guests and performers included Lynsey De Paul, Simon Callow, Christopher Biggins, Rik Waller, Fluid Art, Dan Magness, the DHOL Foundation, the St. Benedict’s School Choir, the Isleworth and Syon School Choir, The London Lads, Greg Dyke who gave a fantastic rendition of ‘Great Balls Of Fire’ accompanied by the Mighty Handful, songwriter ARET who sang ‘Higher and Higher’ with the Choir and ‘Wonderwoman’ from her forthcoming Album, Peter Sarstedt and Barry Mason, The New Seekers, Segun Ajewon, Boney M’s Maizie Williams, Ian Wills and The Willings, Jon Christos, Didier Drogba, Dhol Foundation Drummers, Footballers wives including Lizzie Cundy, Lisa Allen, Charlotte, the Lovell’s Ladies Football Team, Sun Dance, Stagecoach Theatre School, Bantu Foundation and Micah Dance companies and Lojja’s Kathak’s Fluid Arts.

Due to a last minute change in the football league games schedule Lauren, David James and Sean Davis of Portsmouth FC could not make the show as they were playing in Blackburn that evening, trying to get them to the event turned out to be an ambitious task, and I will always be grateful to Lauren, David and Sean for trying to fly to London after the game for the event and also our gratitude to Harry Redknapp for his help and corporation and to Jodie for the days she spent calling every airline and helicopter company in the Manchester area. We are also grateful to Jane Bateman of FA International for her help and advice and Abby Carter of Reading FC for her help with the Footballers, Ibrahima Sonko and Leroy Lita.

The Thierry Henry Young Achiever award went to Darryl James who also received a cash prize of £1000 which was donated by Strand Partners, in recognition of his community work with over 2000 young people on the streets of London.

Mrs Grace Coker was presented with a trophy in gratitude and recognition of her incredible support and hard work for the charity. Grace supervised and continues to supervise the building and operations of the clinics on a voluntary basis. Schools and churches turned out in large numbers to support and enjoy the day and help the charity raise enough funds for the next two centres.

Photographs were taken and donated to the charity by Gill Shaw ABIPP AMPA www.gillshaw.co.uk
Gill has been a great supporter of the charity and has won awards for photos she took during the opening of our second clinic.

The main Sponsors for the evening were SOCIAL WORKLINE (Richard Pomerenke and Nina Pomerenke) who are also sponsoring the next two Support For Africa Clinics. JESUS HOUSE (Pastor Agu Irukwu and Pastor Adeaga) sponsored the filming and equipment for the event. Freddy Achom and Anthony Grant of London’s top club Crystal sponsored the after show party at the club.

We are grateful to Selma Day for introducing HIRST who sponsored the diamonds worn by the Footballers wives during their fantastic performance of ‘Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend’ led by Lizzy Cundy, Lisa Allen, Charlotte and they were accompanied by the Lovells Ladies Football Team (The Lovellies) with the help of Mari-Anne Chiromo. Strand Partners (sponsors of the Thierry Henry
Award), Tiffin Bites provided and sponsored backstage food for the duration of the day with the help of Daniella Gonella (DG Production) and Ranu Patel (Kaybee Pictures). V2V’s Pastors Douglas and Erica Goodman sponsored the printing of the programmes and Robin Tucker (Moragan) sponsored the printing
of the Leaflets

P.R was kindly provided by Leon Mann (Kick it Out, now at BBC) and Jodie Connolly (BBC) with additional help from Godfrey Torto (Give an Event), Chantal Stanley (Footschool TV), Full Portion Media, Jenni Asiama of A.M.A Consultancy, Alison Glaves (Media Maker), Jo Galley and Graham Hudgson-Jones (Public Image Associates). Anna Kessel (Sports writer, The Observer), Andy Morgan (Wolves FC), Jayne Ross (MJWN fan club).

Special thanks to Lady Emma Parker RVM, Andy Clarke. Jon Page, Paul Keating, MJWN (Michael Jackson World Network), ORLEAN INVEST, Rodney Boateng (100 AcresMedia), UNITE GROUP PLC, VIRGIN Airlines, Guillem Balague, Roots Music Group, Street League, Fluid Art, Cosmic group, TMH Telemedia, Mike Kruft and Joanne Galley for the DVD shown on the night, the England Ladies Football Team, Scott, Chris Wesson, Aret Komlosy, Sebastian Komlosy, Charlotte Nash, Tracy Jacques, Tony Miller, Lisa Oldham, Oliver Bagwell-Purefoy, Rebecca Hack, Jane Bateman (FA International), Nicole Emerson, Marilyn Kleiren (St Joseph’s Parish), Yvonne Gordon (Full Portion Media).

The Choirs included:

Jesus House
London Metropolitan Police
Bromley High school
KCC Astor School
George Elliot School
Beulah Choir
Ann Culley
Albany School Hornchurch
Barison’s Chamber Choir
Barnet Modern Choir
Boxhill School
Christians together Choir (Maureen Malcolm)
Com.Unity Choir
CVIM Voices
Brownies (Doncaster)
RCCG
Out Lady Help of Christians (Surrey singers)
Brownies (7th Oxhey)
Farlingaye High School
Fairfield Choir
Everlasting Arms Ministries
Girl Guide (Helen Carlisle)
Girl Guides (Danielle Duncan)
Golden Voices Choir
London Lads
Norbury Baptist Church
Our Lady Help of Christians (Surrey Singers)
Proms Praise Gathered Choir
Salvation Army
Seer Green Singers/Village Voices
Singspiration
St Simon’s FC
St Benedict School
Stagecoach London & Midlands Choir
Stagecoach Northeast Regional Choir
Stagecoach Haywards Heath
Stagecoach Newcastle
AMRTC Gospel Choir
Wallington High Gospel Choir
Harrow Music Service Gospel Choir
Kungasung Christian Music College
Broughton Bus College
Aldworth Science college-Basingstoke
Bantu Fountain Choir
Esthers Ministries Outreach
St. Joseph’s
Isleworth and Syon School
University of Surrey
Wimbledon Gospel Choir
West End Singers
Warwick Revelation Rock Gospel Choir