Pupil hosts a music show to raise funds for home of vulnerable women and children

A Fairbairn College pupil will hold a music show to raise funds for a halfway house for abused women and children. 

The High School Rock Off, as the music show is known, will take place at Fairbairn College in Goodwood, on Tuesday, August 29, from 6pm. 

Luke Matthews, 15, believes the school and community would benefit from a platform to showcase young talent.

"I decided to take the initiative to organise a high school musical event,” said the Grade 9 pupil. 

The proceeds of the show will go towards funding the services of October Halfway House in Elsies River, an NPO that temporarily houses abused women and children.

The director of the house, Angelico Manuel, said they can only afford to accommodate their beneficiaries temporarily as they do not have enough funds to care for their needs on a full-time basis.

The NPO also operates Angelico's Day Care and After Care, an early childhood development centre that serves 15 children at no cost. 

Ms. Manuel said Luke has always been her source of strength whenever she was tempted to give up on her services due to insufficient funds.

“He is very creative and gives me ideas of how to raise money. He motivates me with his positive energy when I am tired,” she said.

Luke, who also comes from Elsies River, said he is organising the event as a way of giving back to his community.

“We have quite a lot of performances. I’m providing a platform for pupils to showcase their singing, rapping, and dance talents. Those who can play instruments will also perform on that evening," Luke said.

The tickets cost R100 each and can be bought at Webtickets.