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'CHARIOKE' FUNDRAISING MARATHON TAKES THE COUNTRY BY STORM

REFUGEE ACTION AND LUCKY VOICE LAUNCH FIRST SPONSORED KARAOKE MARATHON FOR CHARITY

Friday October 30th 2009

FORGET X-Factor this autumn… it's 'Charioke' that is taking the country by storm.

The first ever non-stop karaoke marathon will see groups of singers from all walks of life taking it in turns to belt out hit songs for ten hours. Organised by Refugee Action, this sponsored event will raise money for a range of charities and is being hosted by Lucky Voice in Islington, London, and Brighton.

Singer-fundraisers taking part will include a female vicar from Hertfordshire, the head of creative from music giant EMI and a team from the creative agency Margaret.

They will be singing their hearts out in private pods on Monday November 2nd in London and on Monday November 9th in Brighton. Singers are aiming to raise a total of 50,000 for charities including Refugee Action, Just for Kids Law, Asthma UK, Youth Music, Serenity Foundation, Scene and Heard, Food Chain, Children of the Andes and others.

Reverend Vanessa Parr, who is raising money for Refugee Action, said: "As soon as I heard about this fundraiser I thought it was so original that I had to take part. Not everyone is up for running 26 miles or sky-diving, but a karaoke marathon is something that anyone can take part in. I can't wait to do my bit to raise money for such a worthy cause - and have some fun along the way."

Esme Peach, who is organising the Charioke Marathon event for Refugee Action, said: "Whether it's a love of X-Factor or singing in a local choir, we Brits certainly love a singsong. And karaoke is such a popular pass-time up and down the country that I thought why not give one of the nation's favourite activities a charitable twist? With over a hundred karaoke fans singing their hearts out for charity, we can't wait to raise Money, Money, Money for a host of worthy causes."

Nick Thistleton, one of the co-founders of Lucky Voice said, "We at Lucky Voice Islington are delighted to be hosting this amazing event to raise much-needed money for local and national causes. We can't wait to give all the charity karaoke teams a warm welcome to our venue on Upper Street."

ENDS

For media enquiries call Julia Ravenscroft, Press Officer at Refugee Action, on 0161 233 1956 or 07771 748 159 or Juliar@refugee-action.org.uk.

For more information, visit http://www.refugee-action.org.uk/Charioke.

Notes:

Co-founded by Nick Thistleton and lastminute.com's Martha Lane Fox, Lucky Voice is the most liberating, heart-racing, life-affirming singing experience on earth. Lucky Voice's venues in Soho, Islington, Brighton, Manchester and Cardiff allow groups of between 4 and 15 friends to sing their hearts out together in private. The beautifully designed rooms all feature a huge up-to-the minute song list and intuitive touch screen technology. Lucky Voice is co-organising the event with Refugee Action and is donating the venues free of charge and providing free soft drinks on the day.
Refugee Action is an independent, national charity working to enable refugees to build new lives in the UK. We provide practical advice and assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers and support their settlement through community development work. As one of the country?s leading agencies in the field, Refugee Action has 27 years? experience in pioneering innovative work in partnership with refugees and advised more than 40,000 asylum seekers and refugees last year. For more information, visit www.refugee-action.org.uk
Singers will be raising money for Asthma UK (www.asthma.org.uk), Brighton Pride (www.brightonpride.org), Children of the Andes (www.childrenoftheandes.org), Food Chain (www.foodchain.org.uk), Hue Help (www.huehelp.org), Just for Kids Law (www.justforkidslaw.org), Refugee Action, The Rigul Trust (www.rigultrust.org), Scene and Heard (www.sceneandheard.org), The Serenity Foundation (www.serenityfoundation.org.uk), Sparks (www.sparks.org.uk), Terence Higgins Trust (www.tht.org.uk), Youth Music (http://musicispower.youthmusic.org.uk), WAC Performing Arts & Media College (www.wac.co.uk).
People from all walks of life will be singing to raise money for charity - people from the music, radio, theatre and PR industries, vicars, chefs, charity workers, council workers and students. Companies and organisations fielding teams include Margaret (www.margaretlondon.com), Sing Up (www.singup.org), Napp Pharmaceutical Group Ltd (www.napp.co.uk).