Extreme Cellists to perform in Hastings as part of Pier Pressure charity tour

Between July 20 and August 4, the Cellists - 40-year-old Jeremy Dawson, 56-year-old Clare Wallace from Sheffield and 36-year-old James Rees from Chester - are visiting all 58 surviving piers in Great Britain, giving a performance on each.

Beginning at Dunoon Pier in Scotland, they are touring the coast of Britain in a clockwise direction, covering approximately 2500 miles and ending up in Blackpool a fortnight later – an average of more than four piers a day. The 58 piers are recognised as the only surviving ones by the National Piers Society. In addition to performances on each pier, they are giving three evening concerts in churches as they travel round.

They will perform on Hastings Pier on Wednesday, July 27 at 10am before heading west to play at Eastbourne at 11.30am, Brighton at 1.30pm, Worthing at 3.30pm and finishing at Bognor Regis at 5.30pm.

The venture involves the trio’s most intensive set of performances to date, with around 60 separate recitals in the space of a fortnight. Despite this, and the difficulties associated with getting around Britain, the group is undeterred.

Cellist Jeremy said: “We’ve previously undertaken challenges involving extreme physical activity, including running a marathon with our cellos, so it will be fascinating to experience a different type of endeavour.

“We aim to raise in excess of £5,000 for two very good causes this summer, and we hope that we’ll introduce cello music to holidaymakers who might not be expecting it! We’d encourage anyone who wants to hear our performances to check out our web site to find out when they can see us.”

The Extreme Cellists will be raising funds for Alzheimer’s Society and CHICKS.

Alzheimer’s Society community fundraising officer for Merseyside Jo Dobbie said: “As a charity, we rely on the generosity of groups like The Extreme Cellists to help us continue our vital work so that Alzheimer’s Society can continue leading the fight against dementia. Money raised will help us support people to live well with dementia today and funds research to find a cure for tomorrow.”

CHICKS provides free respite breaks for disadvantaged children from all across the UK. Regional fundraiser Sarah Roberts said: “With no government funding, we rely on generous donations and amazing fundraisers like the Extreme Cellists to keep providing our much needed services.

“CHICKS is all about making memories, so it’s brilliant that this trio of cellists will be surprising holidaymakers and giving them something unusual to remember from their trip! The money raised will then help us to give children in the UK a break away, where they can make some positive childhood memories.”

To sponsor the Extreme Cellists’ Pier Pressure Challenge, visit www.justgiving.com/teams/extremecello. Further details about the challenge are at www.extremecello.com.

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