A TROUPE of student performers are preparing for their role in a fundraising concert for sick, injured and wounded veterans and service personnel.

Richmond School pupils will be performing during the Harmonies for Heroes concert on Saturday, March 15.

The event, at the school, also involves the Catterick Military WAGS Choir, Reeth Brass Band and Muker Silver Band, and will raise cash for the Phoenix House Recovery Centre in Catterick Garrison.

The concert will boost The Northern Echo and Help for Heroes '£100,000 for Our Heroes' appeal which is raising money to provide performing arts facilities at Phoenix House.

A group of seven actors from the school will be reprising their roles in a play, I Have Heard and Read of Battlefields, written by local Rotarian Bev Joicey and performed at the Georgian Theatre Royal last year.

Assistant head of creative arts Ian Henderson said he had been asked if the students would perform a selection of the scenes again because it had been so well received.

He said: “We are using three scenes of the play that were the most effective to be used at different points in the evening.

“As it is a concert we are slotting in around the music but I think it will be really effective. The play got such a great reception when we performed last year and I’m thrilled to get the cast together again.”

Cast member Hannah Muirhead, 16, said: “I’m really excited to be involved in the concert because we formed a really tight-knit group, and it is for such a good cause.”

Ben Hunt, 16, who delivers a speech by General George Patton, added: “I performed my speech from the audience last time and I think we will do that again because it was more powerful – the audience takes a role in the performance as part of my team.”

There will also be 39 dancers aged 11 to 14 taking part in the concert at various stages.

The Harmonies for Heroes concert also marks the official launch of the group’s CD.

Tickets are available in advance £10 for adults and £4 for children from Richmond in Castle Hill Bookshop, Richmond Tourist Information, The Wives Kitchen, Richmond School; in Catterick at Studio 19; in Reeth at Reeth Post Office; in Leyburn at Wobbly Dog; and online at www.militarywagschoir.co.uk.

To contribute to the appeal print out the form at http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/resources/files/31397, complete and send to Phoenix House with a cheque for Help For Heroes – the form is necessary to ensure the money is directed to Phoenix House.

Send to Help For Heroes, Northern Echo Appeal, Phoenix House Recovery Centre, Richmond Road, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, DL9 3AW.