YEOVIL NEWS: Castaway children hope to top charts with X Factor singer

TALENTED members of the Yeovil-based Castaway Theatre Group are hoping to top the charts with a charity record they performed in public last night (Monday, February 2, 2014) for the first time with X Factor finalist Andy Abraham.

The Castaways and Abraham, who came runner-up in the 2005 series of X Factor, performed live together at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil at a show held for the Mpongwe’s People Charity.

The record, Cardboard Box in the Rain, will be available to buy soon and will raise money for a charity that is looking to sort out the worldwide problem of street children.

Abraham, who finished second behind Shayne Ward in X Factor and later went on to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008 without enjoying similar success, is passionate about helping to raise awareness of the problems faced by thousands of children around the globe.

PHOTO - TOP: Andy Abraham with members of the Castaway Theatre Group.

“If we don’t do anything to help children who are in distress – what does that make us?” he asked the Octagon audience.

“I was so lucky to get my chance on X Factor and I want to give something back. If I didn’t, it would be shocking.

“I want to try and raise awareness of street children all around the world – including the UK.”

PHOTO - ABOVE RIGHT: Andy Abraham, centre, with Ron Sheppard and his wife Weng.

He is hoping that the Cardboard Box in the Rain track will become a “beacon of shining light” to get the street children literally “off the streets.”

The homeless children are finding themselves being abused and ending up involved in drugs and prostitution.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Show host Richard Carter.

The concert show at the Octagon was organised by Somerton man Ron Sheppard – a friend of Abraham.

“I’d like to thank everyone who attended the show and hope they will buy the record when it comes out to support this worthwhile cause,” he said.

The concert was hosted by Richard Carter and there was an introduction by Dr Ant Webb, trustee chairman of the Mpongwe’s People Charity.

Other performers on the night included the talented Helen Laxton Dancers and the cracking voice of Erin Darling-Finan.

Andy Abraham was the headline act and he wowed the audience in the second-half of the show with his soul tunes, while he also dueted with Mr Sheppard's wife Weng.

While a group of young performers from Castaway were involved in the finale singing of Cardboard Box in the Rain with the X Factor star, earlier in the show they had joined more members for their superb rendition of Les Miserables favourites At the End of the Day and One Day More.

More photos from the show can be seen on these links.

Photo Gallery 1: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2015/02/02/mpongwe-s-people-charity-concert-pt-1-february-2015/ .

Photo Gallery 2: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2015/02/03/mpongwe-s-people-charity-concert-pt-2-february-2015/ .

Photo Gallery 3: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2015/02/03/mpongwe-s-people-charity-concert-pt-3-february-2015/ .

PHOTO - TOP: The Castaway Theatre Group wow the crowds with their Les Miserables performance.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Singer Erin Darling-Finan with members of the Helen Laxton Dancers.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Members of the Helen Laxton Dancers.

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