Phoebe Maddison is Sunday headliner at first Swindon Summer Music Festival

One of Swindon's most famous young singers will raise money for Diabetes UK at a live-streamed festival.

Phoebe Maddison, 16, who was coached by Pixie Lott on The Voice Kids in 2018, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was four years old.

She is a star of the inaugural Swindon Summer Music Festival, which will live-stream from Facebook tomorrow - Saturday, 4 July - and Sunday, beginning at 10.30am tomorrow and running until Sunday evening.

Money raised tomorrow will go to the British Heart Foundation, while Diabetes UK will receive Sunday’s fundraising proceeds. 

Phoebe is still finalising her set but intends to mix things up with some big theatrical numbers including ‘Defying Gravity’ from the Wicked soundtrack, along with some Whitney Houston, Jocelyn Brown and much more.

She said: “I am so excited and honoured to be performing alongside many amazing artists from the Swindon area. Diabetes UK is an organization very close to my heart and I cannot wait to perform and help to raise as much money as possible.”

Jeanette Etherington and Nathanael Parker, who form Swindon singing duo Total Eclipse, are co-organisers of the festival.

They are delighted to be able to give local musicians a live platform at this time and are keen that half the proceeds from the fundraising festival go to Diabetes UK given their own family experiences of the condition.

Jeanette’s mum, who died last year, lived with Type 1 diabetes for 40 years - one of 12 children, of whom eight others also had Type 1. Nathanael’s mum has Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is a condition in which there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly.

If not managed well, both types can have devastating complications, but with the right treatment, knowledge and support, people with diabetes can lead long, full and healthy lives.

Phaedra Perry, regional head of Diabetes UK South West, said: “Our much-needed work wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our incredible fundraisers, so we are delighted that Swindon Summer Music Festival has decided to donate Sunday’s proceeds to Diabetes UK.

“The money raised will help fund ground-breaking research, care services and campaigns that can change the lives of those who, like Phoebe, live with diabetes.”

Further information about the festival can be found at https://www.facebook.com/swindonsummermusicfestival/

For more information about fundraising for Diabetes UK, visit www.diabetes.org.uk/get_involved/fundraising-events