A MUSICAL extravaganza is hoping to raise thousands for children’s charities.

The fundraiser will take place next Saturday (29) from 2pm at Aura Bar on Weymouth Esplanade.

The PICU Rocks Festival was so successful last year that the organisers have decided to do it again. This year they will be raising money for PICU, the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in Southampton General Hospital, and LLR, the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. This year also sees locals Kev Nicholson, Karl Watson, Martin Peters and Mark Rodgers, cycling from London to Paris for LLR from September 17 to September 21.

The day will see bands playing from the early afternoon through to 4am. Bands already confirmed to play include: Subversion, Morgan Lily, Tom Smethurst, The Leggomen, Tom Hastie of Peacock Suit, Blazin' Strings and the Stereoironics.

Tickets will be £4 on the door and every penny will be going to the charities the organisers have said.

Brett Dunster from Aura said they were delighted to be supporting the two charities and hoped as many people would go along and support the event as possible. He said: “We just want as many people to turn up and raise as much money as possible.

“We are delighted to help support the charities.”

Mr Nicholson will be one of the team riding to Paris from the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. He said that between them the team is hoping to raise around £8,000 for the charity.

Sadly two years ago, Mr Nicholson’s daughter Aimee lost her brave battle with cancer. Mr Nicholason said he wanted to give something back to the charity, which had helped support his family when Aimee was receiving treatment.

He urged everyone to go along to the event and enjoy the live music.

Mr Nicholson said: “It was a fantastic day last year and they raised lots of money for the good causes. If you like good local music, come on down.

“Hopefully we will get the weather for it.”