Pact’s Options Day Programme is $2600 better off after the Silverpeaks Music Club put on a fundraising concert in Mosgiel on November 1.

Options team leader Raelene Shanks says musician Bill MacColl did an amazing job of planning, organising and publicising the evening. She was grateful to the music club for selling so many tickets.

Bill also organised raffles with donations from the Casino Trust and the Silverstream Steakhouse. The club ended up donating $2300 from the concert and $300 from the raffles.

Options had planned to spend the funds on a digital still camera and a digital video camera to use for drama and music, but two people who attended the concert have offered to donate cameras. If those cameras meet Options’ needs then the money will instead be spent on a sound system for the television and stereo.

“The video camera will help our guys in seeing themselves act. It will help them with their confidence. We also want them to use the still cameras – we want those who can to get into photography.”

Bill organised the concert after having worked for 12 weeks at Options on a work placement (and he still goes regularly to provide music sessions for clients). He was so impressed with Options he wanted to “put something back.”

Raelene was delighted with the concert and impressed at the commitment of those involved, many of who had to travel from towns such as Balclutha, Middlemarch, Queenstown and Milton for practices and the event itself.

“The show just blew us away. We had quite a few of our clients attending and the artists included them in the show. It was so special. The atmosphere there was just amazing, “ says Raelene.

At the end of the show Bill had organised a mystery guest, Bevan Gardiner, who is well known for singing in the John Denver tribute show, Whisper the Wind.

“He is visually impaired and he’s a brilliant singer,” says Bill.

Bill says all the effort put into organising the concert was worthwhile.

“Just seeing everyone sitting down the front and the expressions on their faces - they were enjoying it, never mind the rest of the audience. Watching them singing and clapping and enjoying the show blew me away. Everyone made the clients feel welcome. I’m still trying to come down off cloud nine.”

Raelene says organising such a successful event should give Bill an appreciation of the many skills he has.

“He’s got a lot to contribute to the community.”

Options clients spoken to the week following the concert were still raving about the great time they had.