Egremont-based charity Siiboo UK has raised enough money to provide a Gambian village with safe, clean drinking water with their ‘Gig in the Garden’ event – and their thanks goes out to the people of West Cumbria.

Charity founders Sharon and Colin Fox set up Siiboo back in 2015, and are dedicated to helping the West African village of Bakindik by funding the Siiboo Sanyang Nursery School along with several other projects, and the couple can now tick ‘raise enough money for a borehole’ off their to-do list thanks to the generosity of the community.

‘Gig in the Garden’ was held on May 6, in the Queens Hotel’s beer garden in St Bees, with over 300 people attending to support the charity, and watch the brilliant local talent perform, including Nat Dempsey, Riverside, The Rogues, The Lavetts, Springfield, and Goosey Tyson – and a massive £2,136 was raised for Siiboo.

Event organiser and charity volunteer Charlie Horner commented on the success of the day, and said: “Everybody who attended really enjoyed themselves. It was a great day and we were very lucky with the weather!”

He continued, speaking of the talent of the performers: “ All of the bands were absolutely incredible, and without them we wouldn’t have raised half of what we did. They are all very talented groups and I think they’re going to go really far in the industry.”

And after the success of the event, the Egremont couple and charity founders are planning on holding another event on August’s bank holiday, again at St Bees’ Queens Hotel.

Sharon was thrilled with the event, and said: “We were amazed by the turnout, and overjoyed by all of the support from local people. It was fantastic to see so many people having such a good day, dancing and singing along in the sunshine.”

Her husband Colin happily added: “Gig in the Garden will water a garden! We’re so happy we’ve finally raised enough money to install the borehole in Bakindik, which will supply the village with safe and clean water for cooking and drinking.”

He continued: “It was a wonderful day, and we can’t wait to do it all over again in August!”