Four Brighton schoolboys won the grand finale of the Sussex Superstars talent contest at a charity ball that raised almost £150,000 for local good causes.
And Queen guitarist Sir Brian May was on hand to congratulate the final year students – he said they had a bright future ahead of them.
The band, SoundWave, is made up of four year 11 pupils at Longhill High School and on Saturday night (7 February) they rocked the house at the Doubletree by Hilton Brighton Metropole.
Their rendition of Even Flow by Pearl Jam won a standing ovation from the judges and the audience, following their semi-final win with a cover of a Rage Against the Machine number.
Longhill head Rachelle Otulakowski said: “We are all so proud of our incredible year 11 band and what they have achieved alongside studying for their GCSEs.
“Brian May was excited to meet them and agreed with me that they have a bright future ahead of them.”
The Sussex Superstars grand finale was one of the highlights of the Focus Foundation Winter Ball, with the contest described as “a showcase celebrating young local talent”.
The judges included the television presenter Denise van Outen, Duncan James, from boyband Blue, and actress Anita Dobson, best known for playing Queen Vic landlady Angie Watts in EastEnders.
The other performers to reach the final were Amber Laughton, Rosa Farrington and Kumba Robert. Kumba, supported by Brighton music charity AudioActive, sang at the neighbouring Grand hotel for another Brighton charity, Together Co, at a community event to mark the Grand’s 160th anniversary.
On Saturday, more than 400 people turned out and the organisers said: “The evening raised more than a staggering £148,000, a new record, and every penny will be used to directly support a wide range of grassroots charities.
“Half of the funds have already been earmarked for five selected beneficiaries – Pelican Parcels, Stormbreak, Rett UK, Sussex Nightstop and Grassroots Suicide Prevention – all of which were profiled at the event.
“This meant that guests had the opportunity to learn more about the causes they were supporting as every auction bid, donation and table on the night helped in some way to create a lasting impact in the community.”
The Focus Foundation was set up by businessman Chris Goodman, the former BHASVIC student who started the Focus Group telecoms firm, and his wife Elaine.
Mr Goodman said: “I am always overwhelmed by the generosity of our guests at these events and remain committed to making sure our grants make the maximum impact possible for under-privileged children, those with mental health challenges and other community-based initiatives.
“Our five selected grassroots charities receiving immediate funding as a result of this year’s Winter Ball are all ready and waiting to use these resources immediately to make a positive impact for their respective causes. It will be very rewarding to see this happen.”
How brilliant! New talent in Brighton supported by household names! Lovely to see Longhill’s success too.
So proud of these guys. Very well earned against some great competition.
This is Brilliant News for Longhill
Everyone slates this School from like 30?Years ago-had a bad reputation then and it’s stuck
But these Teachers and Pupils deserve it-it’s down to there Hardwork especially for Mocks aswell, good they get a taste of it too.
Wow… amazing boys and so good to see Longhill getting the positive press that it deserves. So many kids are coming out of Longhill with great futures ahead of them!