Basepoint Licensee Single Ply Structures Supporting local charity event GEMFEST
GEMFEST is an indoor music and performance festival, held annually on Easter Sunday raising money for charity.
The event started as a surprise 30th birthday party for Gemma Wensley organised by her friends and family. Gemma has an inoperable Brainstem Tumour. In 2010 the condition was deemed terminal and she was looking at a matter of months to live. She retired from her job as a Staff Nurse at the RD&E and prepared for the inevitable.
The following months involved gruelling treatment and a long emotional rollercoaster ride. Then miraculously, the tumour started to shrink and Gemma improved drastically. Although she is still receiving treatment related to her illness, she is still here almost 7 years later and is full of life!
Gemma and her good friend and fellow organiser Susan Luscombe came up with the idea of making "Gemfest" an annual charity event at the end of 2012 and the first public event was held on 31st March 2013 at the Exeter Phoenix Centre who kindly offered the use of the whole building for free. Since then, over £20,000 has been raised for The Brain Tumour Charity and local end of life charity, Hospiscare, who were instrumental in Gemma’s recovery.
The next festival will be held on Sunday 16th April 2017. Planning has commenced and Gemma and Susan along their small team are hoping to make this year the best yet!
As usual, Gemfest is a festival of two halves. The daytime (11am-4pm) is a family orientated event for children of all ages. There will be arts and crafts, storytelling, workshops, face painting, games, competitions, live music and much, much more! Entry is a £1 donation per person (under 2's free) which includes a ticket for the raffle.
The evening event runs from 6pm until late and there will be an eclectic mix of live music over 2 stages, comedy, The Silent Disco and other entertainment. Entry for this section is £10, all of which goes to the charities.
For further information on the event or if you would like to be involved, please contact
the team at gemfest@live.co.uk.
A full list of the line up along with more about Gemma’s story is available on the website www.gemfest.co.uk or Facebook www.facebook.com/gemfestexeter
If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation go to the just giving page at www.justgiving.com/gemfest2017
Tickets are available in advance (50p booking fee) from Exeter Phoenix Centre Box Office (01392) 667080 or www.exeterphoenix.org.uk where you can also find venue information.