Festival to support mental health will be held in Spalding in October

A music festival to raise awareness of mental health, and support an important charity, is coming to Spalding this year.

Organisers have booked X-Factor star Faye Horne, who will bring her powerful singing voice to the event, bands The Boobonyx and Riff Panda; plus DJ Shaun Neal.

Mind Fest 2019 will held at Springfields Events Centre on Saturday, October 12, from 7pm until 1am and to add to the atmosphere will be festival-style food and a bar throughout the evening.

On the organising committee is both Louise O'Connor, who has had plenty of experience in event planning for Spalding's charity Glitterball - and her friend Luke Jackson.

Luke (29), who lives in Spalding, sadly lost his mum Debbie just before Christmas, after she took her own life. She was 55-years-old.

He found that the mental health charity Mind was a big support to him.

"Mum had suffered with her mental health for the past 16 years," he said. "People came to me for advice and to talk about what we did to try to support Mum and when Louise suggested organising a festival for Mind, I said yes, I want to give as much support as possible."

Talking about his mum's death, Luke said: "When it happened, it was devastating.

"We are trying to get it across that there is not enough support out there.

"It is also about the family - about talking together and supporting each other with their problems, instead of sweeping it under the carpet."

A medical crisis team would visit Luke's mum at home and she spent time in hospital. It was the additional support from the charity Mind that was valuable to him and his siblings, both during his mum's illness and since her death.

"I really went to them for advice on what would be the best course of action during her illness and in other circumstances," he added.

"They were very supportive to us.

"For me, the festival is about bringing happiness and everybody going will be raising money for a great charity and getting to know a bit more about Mind and what they do."

"People came to me for advice and to talk about what we did to try to support Mum and when Louise suggested organising a festival for Mind, I said yes, I want to give as much support as possible."

Louise added: "We want to create a relaxed festival atmosphere and everyone is welcome.

"It's a really important cause to so many people."

Tickets for the festival are £25 and the whole event will be held indoors so it doesn't matter what the weather is doing.

• To buy tickets, contact Louise on 07920 465311 or email her via thebeautyroom.lulus@gmail.com

She is also looking for event sponsors and raffle prizes. Search for Mind Fest 2019 on Facebook.