Aussie stars unite for Orlando victims

Aussie stars unite for Orlando victims
Image: Magda Szubanski

TREVOR Ashley was supposed to be beginning well-deserved two month break, but his plans have changed since the tragic shootings in Orlando on June 11 where 49 people were killed at the gay nightclub Pulse.

Ashley knew he had to do something to help the survivors and the victims’ families. So he dusted off his rolodex – he’s “got a very good one” – and called in favours from some of the biggest names in Australian show business to perform in a one-off fundraiser show at Sydney Town Hall called From Sydney With Love – a concert for Orlando.

 “I felt like it needed to be done. I felt like there was no choice in the matter,” he told Star Observer.

“It (the mass shooting) was soul destroying, I felt like I lost family.”

Ashley confirmed some more names had been added to the already stellar lineup. Joining Paul Capsis, iOTA, Virginia Gay, Joel Creasey, Magda Szubanski, Bob Downe, Emma Matthews and Simon Burke will be Todd McKenney, Matthew Mitcham, Beccy Cole and Broadway star Shoshana Bean.

A number of corporate sponsors have backed the event, which means almost 100 per cent of money raised will go to the “Equality Florida Pulse Victims Fund” who is collecting contributions to support every single victim. This includes victims’ families, survivors, and those in the club who may not have suffered physical injury but were in need of support.

“It’s going to be bigger than Ben Hur, I’m pretty thrilled with the response from everybody,” Ashley said.

“It’s absolutely imperative we do what we can to support the victims and survivors.

“The community as a whole needs to get together and show solidarity together in one room.”

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore has thrown open the doors of Sydney Town Hall to help raise the much needed-funds for those directly impacted by this horrendous shooting.

“Many of the city’s top performers are donating their time, talent and energy. It’s time for Sydney to come out in support of Orlando’s LGBTIQ community,” Mayor Moore said.

From Sydney With Love – a concert for Orlando
Monday July 11, Sydney Town Hall, 8pm.
Tickets are available from Ticketmaster.

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One response to “Aussie stars unite for Orlando victims”

  1. Sounds like a great line-up, be great to see community groups included too like the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir