A CHARITY concert in aid of a Farnham teenager has been hailed a success after raising a whopping £5,400 for two charities.

The jazzy sum will go to The Aplastic Anaemia Trust and Anthony Nolan.

Henry Young, 17, is the current head boy at More House School, Frensham, and was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia in October. As previously reported in the Herald, Henry is currently undergoing chemotherapy and is awaiting a stem cell transplant.

Our Henry’s Jazz Soiree was held at Farnham Castle on February 15 and included a raffle, with prizes donated by Guitar Village and Superdry, dancing, and live performances from the More House School Jazz Band, Duane Dixie and Sax Bomb (which also come from the school), and the Farnham Music and Drama Jazz Band.

Around 160 people attended the charity concert, which was organised by Louise Heron, front of house manager at Farnham Castle whose son also attends More House Lower Sixth Form, and Mark Place, director of music at the school.

The More House School Lower Sixth BTEC music class marketed the event and put together the programme for the evening.

The directors at Farnham Castle provided the venue free of charge and the food and drink at cost. All of the Farnham Castle staff also volunteered to work for free that evening to help Louise and support Henry, for which Louise was “hugely grateful”.

She added: “The atmosphere at the castle, as Henry’s mum Andrea commented, ‘was electric!’”.

Mark Place also helped by conducting and performing alongside some of the bands that the guests enjoyed.

Mark and Louise received a number of responses from guests, thanking them for “everything you did”, “for the time you put into it” and “for an absolutely fabulous evening”.

One guest said the event “touched so many people, raised awareness and will make a difference for Henry”, while another added they were “thrilled that it raised so much money”.

Mark and Louise also received letters of thanks from Henry’s family, where Andrea Young writes that the evening was “thoroughly enjoyable” and has given Henry “a great boost”.

Grazina Berry, chief executive officer at The Aplastic Anaemia Trust, said: “I had the pleasure of attending this wonderful event and meeting Henry, his family and friends in person. I was overwhelmed at how brilliant the Jazz Soiree itself was – with so much young talent and energy, but also at the volume of support shown to Henry and his family by the school and broader local community.

“They’ve all rallied behind them facing aplastic anaemia – such a hugely challenging rare illness. The amount donated in the run up and during the concert has been stunning and I cannot express my gratitude enough to the school for organising the night and supporting our charity.

“The funds will help us reach more people facing what Henry and his loved ones are dealing with at the moment.

“I would like to wish Henry a smooth journey through the next steps in his treatment and a strong recovery, so he can get back to enjoying life as any young man should.”

Lawrie Mallyon, senior community fundraising manager at Anthony Nolan, added: "We are delighted that Henry's Jazz Soiree was organised in aid of Anthony Nolan. Every penny that was raised on the day will help us undertake lifesaving research, recruit more stem cell donors and provide vital support to patients like Henry.

"Fundraising is a vital part of our lifesaving work – the more money we raise, the more potential donors we can recruit onto the stem cell register and more people are given a second chance of life.

"We would like to wish Henry and his family all the best during this difficult time."

To donate, visit virginmoneygiving.com/team/ourhenry.