Last night, in a corner of Milton Keynes, pop players pooled their collective talents for a wonderful night of fundraising to swell the coffers for The Henry Allen Trust.
Total MK joined them...
Three or four weeks ago this event wasn't even on the calendar, and yet the enthusiasm is almost palpable at MK11 this Friday night, and not least stage front, where the harmonious sounds of The Shures are being heard when we rock up.
Last caught impressing the judges on The X Factor last month, they are sizzling on home soil this evening too, on a bill smoking with talents – there's a reason it's being billed as the Non Stop Pop bash, and it's no accident.
JSMV spill upbeat grooves with ease during their stage time, with Joker and Yesterday serving their fans well before X-Factor success Nicholas McDonald races to the stage and lets his voice free, with plenty of added accompaniment from his decidedly eager fan-base.
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Stage front might be swamped with devotees, but further back and the MK venue is a decidedly family affair – from babes in arms to grandparents, this event has locked everyone together in unity.
Or rather one little person has.
Henry Allen lost his battle with neuroblastoma almost two years ago to the day, and yet his infectious smile is peering out from posters and boards, and looming large in the memories of all those who knew him.
The idea behind this bash was to raise a packet for The Henry Allen Trust, which exists to 'bring 'Henry's Happiness' to families battling childhood cancer,' and while the cash has still to be counted, if the money raised is as big as the smiles on parade in his memory, the trust will be quids in.
Tonight's headliner is a patron of the charity, and Bailey McConnell is proud to say he knew little Henry.
Bailey tells us Henry used to ask him “You are my pop star, aren't you?”
Tonight, with plenty of distance between that Britain's Got Talent whirlwind, and with the quite fabulous debut single Crystalise under his belt, Bailey shows that the promising talent shown over the past couple of years has matured nicely.
Bailey is backed by a full band tonight, and sounding grand.
Sitting smart among a couple of expected cover pieces, Bailey shows his own creative streak off with I Don't Wanna Lose You and Love Don't Lie before winding down with that aforementioned single.
All of this evening's music makers assemble themselves on stage at the end of his set– including event opener Robyn Wilson – and they eventually bring the curtain down on a great night of music-making and cash-raising in memory of a special little boy.
For more details on The Henry Allen Trust visit www.thehenryallentrust.org.uk
