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Rick Wakeman to perform in aid of local causes

Alice CunninghamSuffolk
News imageGetty Images Rick Wakeman during a concert in the 1970s. He is turning away from a keyboard as he rests one hand near it. He is wearing a light blue outfit.Getty Images

Rock legend Rick Wakeman is giving back to his local community by holding an "intimate" concert in aid of a church and a primary school.

The keyboard wizard and former member of Yes was approached by Holbrook Primary School and Holbrook All Saints Church, near Ipswich, to see if he could help with their fundraising efforts.

The primary school wants to build a new outdoor classroom while the church needs to replace its roof.

Wakeman, who lives in the area, will perform an intimate concert on 20 April at Ipswich High School's Hayworth Theatre.

News imageGetty Images Rick Wakeman performs on a keyboard during a concert in the 1970s. He has blond hair that reaches his shoulders and a fringe. He is wearing a black and red top.Getty Images
Rick Wakeman was a key member of prog rockers Yes

Churchwarden Ruth Gitsham said the roof had asbestos lining which was installed in the 1970s, and although the church did hold regular coffee mornings, the project needed substantially more funding.

When the church approached Wakeman to see if he could help, the school had already also asked him for assistance.

It was Wakeman who suggested they teamed up, and the idea of the concert was born.

"He's giving back and he was so warm in his praise for the villages on the peninsula," Gitsham said.

"He said what a wonderful community it was and [he's] made so many friends since living in the area.

"It was really lovely to hear that and he's helping to give something back. He's been so generous and it's really lovely to work with him."

News imageAndrew Hill/Geograph The interior of All Saints Church, Holbrook. The nave has white-washed arches along its sides. The altar is at the far end with an arched window behind it. The ceiling has wooden beams.Andrew Hill/Geograph
The parish church hosts annual musical and end-of-term performances with the village primary school
News imageKirstie Cook Kirstie Cook smiles at the camera while standing outside. She has long dark brown hair and is wearing a white top.Kirstie Cook
Kirstie Cook said Wakeman was a "hero"

Kirstie Cook, a member of the parent-teacher association at the school, said she was "so nervous" when approaching Wakeman, but he had replied within 30 minutes offering his help.

She described him as a "hero".

"It was incredible. I honestly couldn't believe it because I was so nervous about sending that initial email, because who am I to ask for his time?" she said.

"It was so positive. It just filled me with that positive feeling of 'Actually, this is achievable'."

News imageJohnnie Wright/BBC A man smiles at the camera as he sits in a radio studio. He has short hair – some blond and some is grey. He is wearing a navy suit jacket with a Christmas-themed shirt underneath. There is a green microphone on the right.Johnnie Wright/BBC
Wakeman is currently on tour in the United States and will return home in April

She added: "We can get this classroom within the timescale of our children still being at the school."

Cook said the school expected to have the classroom ready for the next academic year in September.

Tickets for An Intimate Evening with Rick Wakeman are selling for £35.

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