Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall tunes in for Lockdown Rosiefest as virtual event raises thousands for Cancer Connections

The much-loved summer festival – which originated at the now-gone Holborn Rose and Crown – was held virtually this year due to the coronavirus outbreak putting a stop to mass gatherings.

Hundreds of would-be festival-goers tuned in from their gardens and living rooms on Saturday, July 11 as the acts were streamed from Facebook.

Musicians including The Missing Cat Duo, Dean Clark, Emily Fay Palmer-Giles, The Dancers and Rivelino recorded 20 minute sets, and the whole thing was compered by local actor and performer, Stephen Sullivan.

The event has raised more than £3,200 so far for South Shields charity Cancer Connections, with donations still to come in.

And the charity’s patron Jade Thirlwall publicly urged her fans tune in on Friday (July 10) sharing a video on her social media pages, while sporting an exclusive Rosiefest hoodie.

Revealing that she would be tuning in, Jade said: “Make sure you tune into Facebook tomorrow (Saturday) to watch the Lockdown Rosiefest 2020, raising funds for Cancer Connections.

"I’ll be watching, I can’t wait to see it and get in the festival mood.”

ITV2’s Ibiza Weekender star David Potts also sent a message of support before the event, encouraging people to watch and donate.

Organiser Natalie Lascelles said the event went ‘better than expected’ with hundreds of people watching.

"The amount we have raised so far is incredible considering it was just online,” she said.

"Everyone loved it and I’ve had a lot of messages from people saying how good it was and the general feeling is that it really lifted spirits.”

Natalie set up the festival in 2012, as a way of raising mental health awareness and over the years it has raised thousands for charity.

It gained its reputation at the Holborn Rose and Crown, which closed suddenly in 2019.

Rosiefest hoodies – as worn by Jade – are now available, advertising next year’s festival which is set to take place on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at its new home, Harton and Westoe Miners Welfare.

A percentage of the price goes to Cancer Connections.

Contact Natalie on 07885788239 or via Facebook.

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