Southport College helps young musician to raise money for Charlie’s Chapter

Southport College helps young musician to raise money for Charlie’s Chapter

Connor Banks, a young musician from Little Hoole, is using his talent for singing and playing the guitar to help raise money for local causes, fundraising over £3,000 so far.

Connor, who is aged 14 and a current student at Hutton Grammar School, recently performed at the Southport College Applicant Welcome Day, where he provided lunch time entertainment to students aspiring to enrol at the College in September.

The talented musician performed his own renditions of hits made famous by Shaun Mendes and Ed Sheeran (amongst other artists) to a busy crowd of over two hundred students as they tucked into a free BBQ lunch during the event, which aims to help students with the transition from High School to College.

Connor requested that his fee from the gig at Southport College was donated to a charity close to his heart, Charlie’s Chapter. The charity supports a four year old boy from Accrington who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer called hepatoblastoma (stage 4 liver cancer) last year. Charlie’s Chapter aims to raise over £200,000 to fund specialist treatment for Charlie in America.

Connor said, ”I love music and performing and if I can help people and combine this with my passion then it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Since winning Preston’s Got Talent at the age of 10 Connor’s weekends have been filled with requests to perform at clubs, bars and weddings even taking bookings as far ahead as 2019! In February 2017, Connor won a highly commended Young Citizen’s Award which was awarded by the High Sheriff of Lancashire.

His success at Southport College was quickly followed by a sell-out Ed Sheeran tribute night, which took place at Walmer Bridge Village Hall near Preston on 8 July.

Connor’s father, Neil Banks, who is also a Lead Assessor in Apprenticeships at Southport College, said, “Connor’s Ed Sheeran Tribute night went down really well, over 150 people attended! With the contribution from the College, the night raised £1400 for Charlie Procter’s treatment.”

You can hear more from Connor and watch footage from the Ed Sheeran Tribute Night on Connor’s YouTube Channel ‘Connor Banks Music.’