Swindon musician in race against time (From Swindon Advertiser)

Swindon musician in race against time

12:07pm Thursday 17th January 2013 in News

A ROVING Swindon musician is in a race against time to save a gig by an orchestra made up of 70 strangers he has spent almost a year recruiting on the London Underground.

Shaun Buswell took on the 12/12/12 challenge which originally stipulated that he had to find musicians to form a band to perform at one of 12 top London venues by December 12.
The rules stated that he could approach people carrying an instrument or part of an instrument as long as they were within the barriers of a station or on a train.

The performance was moved to the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on January 26 after the Daytrippers charity for the children with disabilities and life-limiting illnesses lent its support to the project.

But now the challenge, supported by Transport for London, is in doubt despite Shaun having spent 346 gruelling days trawling more than 200 stations and meeting more than 300 strangers.
Gina Akers, press officer for the event, said: “We have tried everything to make the event free entry, so that the London community could all be brought together for one night through music for charity.

“However, tragedy has struck and the event is at risk of being cancelled. The charity who are hosting the event and who the event is in aid of have not been able to raise enough confirmed ticket contributions or corporate sponsors, and with a week to go and are considering pulling the event. We have 24 hours to turn this around.

“Considering the herculean effort Shaun has gone to, not to be able to bring these 70 strangers together for one night of wonderful music would be very saddening. An orchestra of musicians who met on the Underground or formed from complete strangers has never been done before - this is music history in the making.”

Shaun, from Stratton, is now appealing for full funding for the event, which would cost £4,200, or for donations.

For more information visit www.121212.org.uk or follow: @121212challenge on Twitter.