County band in Hong Kong quake gig

A Shropshire tribute band has helped to raise thousands of pounds for people caught up in the Chinese earthquake disaster after taking part in a concert thousands of miles away.

Abba Arrival had already been booked for the concert in Hong Kong when the quake struck in May.

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Sarah Cherry, 38, and Mark Pemberton, 36, of Marton Drive, Wellington, with Natalie Brigham, 36, of Pageant Drive, Aqueduct, and Pete Smith, 42, from Manchester, decided to make their performance on June 14, a fundraising event with half of the ticket sales going to the disaster fund.

Sarah, who plays blonde Agnetha, said: “The show in Hong Kong was already booked when the news of the earthquake came in but knowing we would be in Hong Kong we felt it would be right to dedicate the show to all those people affected.”

Her partner Mark, who performs as Abba pianist Benny, said: “The show’s promoters Wolfman Jack were so taken with the band’s thoughts that they at once pledged half of all the ticket sales to the disaster fund. We are so privileged to have been able to help.

“Normally you feel so helpless when things like this happen, so to actually get up and do something was fantastic.”

Band members were flown to Hong Kong, and had a week full of photo shoots and television interviews, meeting dignitaries and celebrities alike along the way.

Natalie, who plays Frida, said: “We met so many East Asian stars it was mad.

“There were pop stars and the equivalent of Ant and Dec. But I think the boys were mostly taken with the beautiful Miss Hong Kong, who took quite a shine to Mark, I think.”

All the celebrities handed over traditional gifts to the band at a press conference held at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Hong Kong, and all were filmed for the local news and national papers.

Guitarist Pete, who plays Bjorn, said: “The next day we were handed the nationals, and there we were all over the papers with the East Asian equivalent of Kylie and Robbie.”

Mark said: “The whole experience was awesome.

“We were treated so well and looked after superbly, we had the greatest time, and were able to raise some funds for the earthquake victims too, the whole experience was an honour.

“We were all so overwhelmed by the whole thing.”

Abba Arrival performed at Oakengates Theatre at The Place in March, and plan to return there the same time next year.

By Lisa Rowley