Stephen Sutton
Stephen Sutton

Lichfield Festival is joining forces with the Teenage Cancer Trust to remember Burntwood teenager Stephen Sutton in its 2014 programme.

In honour of Stephen, who lost his battle with cancer in May, all of the young artists appearing in this year’s Festival will dedicate their performances to his memory and the festival will donate a percentage of ticket sales to the Trust to fund their valuable work.

Key events relating to this partnership are:

  • A concert by Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra, one of the world’s finest youth orchestras, takes place in Lichfield Cathedral on July 5 at 7.30pm. 50 per cent of ticket sales will go to the Teenage Cancer Trust.
  • A collection will be taken at all the Young Artist Concerts in this year’s Lichfield Festival programme. These concerts feature talented young musicians from around the world and include the trombonist Peter Moore and cellist Laura van der Heijden, two former and winners of BBC Young Musician of the Year.

In addition, the Festival is delighted to announce that The Neon Brotherhood will open the afternoon entertainment at this year’s Florette Festival Market at 12.15pm on July 5 in Lichfield Cathedral Close.

Stephen and his band Nothing Personal rehearsed at Neon Studios in Burntwood and song written by The Neon Brotherhood in his memory reached number five in the midweek UK singles chart on its release. Proceeds from the song will be donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust and the musicians hope it will help Stephen’s message live on.

Martin Stanyer, a member of the band and co-writer of the song said: “It is an honour to open the Festival Market in the name of Stephen Sutton, a young man who has inspired many and bought so many people together, our aim is to keep Stephen achieving.”

Jennifer Smith, manager of the Lichfield Festival said: “We are proud to be working alongside the Teenage Cancer Trust in dedicating the performances of all the young performers appearing at this year’s Festival to Stephen’s memory.”