A Winnersh flautist and former Welsh Guards musician, will perform a two-day long concert and hopes to raise up to £5,000 for charity.
Peter Lewis’s performance will support First Days Children’s Charity, and contribute to repairs to two local parish churches.
This is not Mr Lewis’s first mammoth concert, but it is twice as long as his previous event, when he performed a 24 hour carolathon at Christmas.
It raised over £1,000 and Mr Lewis enjoyed it so much that he decided to repeat, and even extend the experience, in a 48 hour summer concert.
Musicians from the area will join him for periods throughout the marathon, and everyone is invited to come along, not only to hear the concert, but to join in.
Anyone with singing voices and instruments is welcome to contribute.
Mr Lewis said: “I’m really looking forward to it.
“I’d be delighted for more musicians to come along.
“I’ve had some offers, which is great, but I’m hoping for more.
“Last time people didn’t tell me they were coming.
“They just turned up, so I’m hoping and trusting that that will happen again.”
This concert may be enjoyed not just locally, but internationally.
“Some church members are hoping to arrange a live broadcast of the event, so that family and friends in Australia can join in the fun,” said Mr Lewis.
“I don’t know how that will happen, my job is just to keep playing the flute.”
Mr Lewis has a just giving page, where people can sponsor his marathon music event.
Money raised will provide much needed funds for First Days, and will contribute to repairs to St Mary’s Church, Winnersh, which has suffered leaks, and St. Catherine’s Church, Bearwood, which requires new heating.
First Days Children’s Charity supports families experiencing financial hardship in the borough, and provides clothes and necessities for youngsters.
“There will be a barbecue, and teas and coffees will be available.
“If enough musicians turn up to join in, I might even be able to take a few short breaks for meals myself,” added Mr Lewis.
But he is not overly concerned.
After 24 years with the Welsh Guards, often playing for eight hours at a stretch, this will be a walk in the park.
“You work on adrenaline,” he said.
The programme will include songs from the shows, gospel sounds, children’s music, and any requests that people care to bring along.
“If we can find the music for it, we’ll play it,” he added.
The event will take place inside St Mary The Virgin Church, Winnersh, and starts on Friday, June 30, at 5pm..
Mr Lewis will keep playing until Sunday, July 2, at 5pm.
All are welcome to come and listen, or to join in.
To sponsor him, people should visit his just giving page at: www.justgiving.com and search for Peter Lewis.
For information about the two parish churches, visit: www.winnershparish.org
For information about the charity, visit: www.firstdays.net
