Sound reasons to support Weymouth Women's Refuge (From Dorset Echo)

Sound reasons to support Weymouth Women's Refuge

1:00pm Saturday 31st July 2010 in News By Martin Lea

A WOMAN who lived in a safe house will sing at a fundraising concert in aid of the Weymouth Women’s Refuge.

Leanne Warne spent time in a refuge in Yeovil as a child with her mother.

She will be one of the acts appearing at the Rendezvous club in Weymouth tomorrow at a gig to support the comeback of the Weymouth refuge, which closed earlier this year despite fierce opposition.

Campaigners want to re-establish the service for victims of domestic violence and need funds to progress their plans.

The future of the building will be discussed at a Weymouth and Portland Borough Council meeting on Tuesday.

Weymouth singer Naomi Beauvoir Black, one half of the acoustic duo Bebe and Paolo, teamed up with Danny Adams Productions to organise the concert featuring female-fronted local bands.

Leanne Warne is known on the circuit as singer Diva Lea but also does a tribute to the American pop star Lady Gaga who she will be appearing as tomorrow.

Leanne, 25, who has just finished recording an album of her own songs, said: “The refuge is a sensitive subject for me as I stayed in one with my mum when I was younger because we were at risk.

“It was in a different place but I know just how valuable they can be.”

She added: “I didn’t hesitate when I was asked to support the gig because it’s for such a brilliant cause and I’d be happy to do more.

“At the end of the day the town needs a refuge where people can go to, where they can feel safe.”

Other acts giving up their time for free include Bebe and Paolo, Jaime Lovett’s band Girl Toyz, Amy Brown, Sukulele, Sheryl Lee, Jenny Sims and Chloe Whistance.

Organiser Naomi, 22, said: “I read in the Dorset Echo that the refuge could open again and people were trying to raise some money.

“Weymouth has so many good musicians and I thought of getting a few girl groups together to do a fundraiser.”

The concert is from 2pm to 9pm. Admission is free but people will be encouraged to put money in the buckets.

The fundraising effort is off to a good start with Rendezvous general manager Keith Treggiden donating £100.

Gill Taylor from the campaigning group Friends of Weymouth Refuge said: “This is an absolutely fantastic idea.”