Gazette Celebration Article 2016

22 Tuesday August 2, 2016 www.gazette-news.co.uk Gazette Stevi stars at award event X Factor singer is special guest at ceremony By WENDY BRADING [email protected] X FACTOR favourite Stevi Ritchie won over the crowd when he was guest of honour at an awards ceremony. The popular crooner con- gratulated members of Col- chester Gateway Club and presented them with their awards for challenges com- pleted over several years. The club provides social clubs and activities for adults with learning disabilities and the awards have been funded by donations and fundraising. Sally Hargrave, the scheme’s project and fundraising manager, said: “Stevi was so genuine and at ease as he handed out awards and praised and encouraged people, some of whom were excited and some nervous on the night. “He was particularly posi- tive when people responded to the audience and made a show of getting their awards and sensitively walked over to people to give them their awards where they were sit- ting if they did not feel able to come up to the front. “He was generous with his time and stayed on after the award ceremony to sign auto- graphs, be in countless selfies and answer people’s questions with real openness. I honestly cannot praise his warmth, hu- mour and generosity enough. It felt like the beginning of a great friendship.” Stevi sang two songs – This is My Moment and Footloose - encouraging the crowd to sing along and dance. He said: “It is nice to be here. What a great crowd, great people, everyone so lovely, friendly and down to earth.” Stevi is to appear in Sleep- ing Beauty at the Princes The- atre in Clacton this winter. N Visitor - Stevi Ritchie with some of the centre-users at the award ceremony. Later this year the star will be appearing in panto in Clacton

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Transcript of Gazette Celebration Article 2016

Page 1: Gazette Celebration Article 2016

22 Tuesday August 2, 2016 www.gazette-news.co.ukGazette

Stevi stars at award event

X Factor singer is special guest at ceremony

By WENDY [email protected]

X FACTOR favourite Stevi Ritchie won over the crowd when he was guest of honour at an awards ceremony.

The popular crooner con-gratulated members of Col-chester Gateway Club and presented them with their awards for challenges com-pleted over several years.

The club provides social clubs and activities for adults with learning disabilities and the awards have been funded by donations and fundraising.

Sally Hargrave, the scheme’s project and fund-raising manager, said: “Stevi was so genuine and at ease as he handed out awards and praised and encouraged people, some of whom were excited and some nervous on the night.

“He was particularly posi-tive when people responded to the audience and made a show of getting their awards and sensitively walked over to people to give them their awards where they were sit-ting if they did not feel able to come up to the front.

“He was generous with his time and stayed on after the award ceremony to sign auto-graphs, be in countless selfies and answer people’s questions with real openness. I honestly cannot praise his warmth, hu-mour and generosity enough. It felt like the beginning of a great friendship.”

Stevi sang two songs – This is My Moment and Footloose - encouraging the crowd to sing along and dance. He said:

“It is nice to be here. What a great crowd, great people, everyone so lovely, friendly and down to earth.”

Stevi is to appear in Sleep-ing Beauty at the Princes The-atre in Clacton this winter.

N Visitor - Stevi Ritchie with some of the centre-users at the award ceremony. Later this year the star will be appearing in panto in Clacton