Shaun's going underground (From Swindon Advertiser)

Shaun's going underground

7:10pm Thursday 24th January 2013 in News By Emma Dunn

MONTHS of work will come to fruition for Shaun Buswell this weekend when the orchestra he formed from strangers on the London Underground finally gets to perform.

Tickets are available to watch the orchestra play at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on Saturday and a free coach for audience members will leave Swindon bus station at 4.30pm.

Shaun, 35, of Stratton, started a musical challenge to create an orchestra made up of musicians he met while travelling on the London Underground in January last year.

The terms of the challenge stipulated that he had to form a band to perform at one of 12 top London venues by December 12.

“It’s been an incredibly long time and lots of work,” he said. “We have a coach going from Swindon and are just trying to drum up as much interest as possible.”

The event will raise funds for children’s charity Daytrippers, who have lent their support to the challenge.

Daytrippers helps children with disabilities, life limiting or terminal illnesses enjoy experiences that might otherwise not be available to them.

Shaun came close to cancelling the challenge earlier this month after poor ticket sales but organisers have confirmed it will go ahead.

He said: “Ticket sales have picked up and sponsors have come to the table. It’s great and very humbling that the charity are staying with me, even though things haven’t gone as we would have hoped.

“It’s also incredibly humbling working with some of the musicians, who include a trumpet player who used to record with Ray Charles. They have all given up their time for free for charity. It’s the best of the British spirit.”

To qualify for a place on the free coach you must buy a ticket to the event, then book your place on the coach.

Tickets start at £10 for seated admission, £7.50 for standing.

For more information and to book your place visit www.121212.org.uk/ coach.

Supporters from Swindon can get a 15 per cent discount on tickets for the event using code TFL15. Tickets can be bought from wwww.121212.org.uk/tickets.

There are also a limited number of VIP table tickets available from £25 each, including a goody bag worth over £20. For information email gina@121212.org.uk.