The Muggabees on tour in north Cornwall in aid of surfing-based youth mental wellbeing charity The Wave Project
Don’t be surprised if The Beach Boys are part of The Muggabees’ repertoire when they return to north Cornwall for a mini tour this bank holiday weekend, writes Libby Clement.
For the Bishop’s Stortford-based rock and pop covers band will be aiming to raise £2,000 for the Wave Project, a charity that seeks to help young people’s mental wellbeing through surfing.
The band, who have been touring in north Cornwall annually since 2019, are returning for a fifth year to play four gigs on successive nights – three in Bude and one in north Devon.
The money will be used to support the seaside town’s recently reinstated surf club founded by the Cornwall-based Wave Project, UK-wide, which provides children and young people with the opportunity to continue surfing after completing a six-week ‘surf therapy’ course.
The project provides therapy that doesn’t feel like therapy, supporting more than 2,000 children facing a wide range of difficulties each year, helping to increase their self-esteem, resilience, confidence and social skills.
With all surf clubs fully booked for the school summer holiday, funds raised through The Muggabees’ mini-tour will help provide extra surf clubs.
The band – comprising Darren Parker (vocals and guitar), Jamie Gladstone (lead guitar), Max Hunt (bass), Lauren Parker (vocals), Kelsey Crowley (vocals), Jonny Brewer (drums) and Tom Lednor (keyboard) – spend their time and talents well, having generously raised a total of £35,000 for charities over the years.
They play a wide range of hits from The Rolling Stones and The Clash to Jet, Bruno Mars and Katie Perry.
The Muggabees will be performing at: The Barrel in Bude on Thu Aug 22, 7pm-9pm (18+ only); The Thatch in Croyde, Fri Aug 23, 9pm; Bar Thirty-Five in Bude, Sat Aug 24, 8pm (18+ from 9pm); and The Carriers in Bude, Sun Aug 25, 8pm.
Entry is free, with donations encouraged. You can also support the charity via https://www.justgiving.com/page/muggabees2024tour.
Libby Clement, 15, who lives in Sawbridgeworth and attends Hockerill Anglo-European College with her three siblings, wrote this article during a three-day work experience placement with the Indie.
