Dean and Marian Butler will once again open their property for the Pauls Rd Music Festival in aid of Gabby's Starlit Hope Charity.
Dean and Marian Butler will once again open their property for the Pauls Rd Music Festival in aid of Gabby's Starlit Hope Charity.
For the past nine years, Whanganui couple Dean and Marian Butler have opened the grounds of their Whanganui home in Pauls Rd, Aramoho for a good cause.
The annual Pauls Rd Live concerts were launched in 2008 to raise money for charity with local and visiting musicians donating their timeand talents to worthy causes.
The most consistent cause has been Gabby's Starlit Hope charity and organiser Kerry O'Sullivan said money raised would go directly to Whanganui families who had children experiencing cancer treatment.
Starlit Hope was created by Gabby Devine in February 2013.
The former Whanganui girl had been diagnosed with Ewings sarcoma (a rare type of bone cancer) in February 2012 and spent a year of intensive chemotherapy, radiation and major surgery to remove any remaining tumours.
"Gabby was my niece's child and she always talked about the importance of sharing a smile and showing kindness.
"It means a lot to help continue the work she started."
Gabby devine encouraged people to smile more and practice random acts of kindness.
Gabby died at age 12, but her vision for Starlit Hope was that it continued to grow and be able to put smiles on the faces of as many children and their families as possible through random acts of kindness.
Last year, the concert raised $2805 which Gabby's Starlit Hope Charity divided between three Whanganui families.
One family wrote to the organisers to say that the money had covered their high winter power bills.
Another family said they had appreciated all the "random acts of kindness" during their daughter's treatments.
Musicians performing at Pauls Rd this year are Andy Anderson & Tripsplat, The Blues Buffet, Reset, Burns the Bridges, Whiskey Mama, Craig & Angie and Bullfrog Rata & the Troublemakers featuring Jamie Knap.
"We have quite a few sponsors this year and they are all new businesses too," says Ms O'Sullivan.
Sam Hardy of Hardy Construction, Eamon Paulger of EP Plastering, Robert Moore of Moore Law, Mark Rod of Power Electrical and Kerry Collins of Aqua Plumbing have all pledged their support.
Tickets for the festival at 42 Pauls Rd can be bought from Gatshack Music on the corner of Ridgway and St Hill streets for $15 for adults or $5 for children, although a limited number may be available at the gate on the day.
Gates open at 11.30am on Sunday, March 4. Bands will play from 12pm until 7pm. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own seating, shade and food and drink.
