Fight continues for local student
Video: Martin Watters
A concert in aid of a Hewett school student facing deportation has raised hundreds of pounds. This video was made by a friend to thank people for their support.
The Hewett School came out in force to support one of their students on Friday. Staff and pupils, as well as performers from across the country who’ve worked with Gabriel Mokake, came together for the concert at the school’s Walter Roy Theatre. The 18 year old and his family face deportation to Tanzania and need help covering the legal fees.
The event raised over £800 which will go towards helping pay the family’s legal fees to challenge the deportation. The family have lodged an appeal, after an application for a permanent visa was refused, and could learn the outcome within weeks.
Rob Anthony, the school’s Associate Headteacher said: “It was a fantastic show. Lots of people representing the different groups of people Gabriel has worked with came along and performed songs or dances. Some were funny whilst others were very moving. The show ended with Bronte Barbe singing ‘Over the Rainbow’ from The Wizard of OZ followed by Gabriel singing a song called ‘It’s hard to speak my heart’ from Parade. Finally the whole cast joined in with Gabriel to sing ‘Let the Sunshine’ from Hair, which brought the audience to its feet.”
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