Roma shows support for hospice with Big Hoot busking challenge
Sixteen-year-old Roma Manteiga-Nicholson brought music and song to the streets of Ipswich as she busked around all 50 owl statues making up this year’s Big Hoot Ipswich 2022, completing the challenge in one day.
Starting at 8.30am on Thursday 18th August, Ipswich teenager Roma commenced her singing challenge for the independent Suffolk charity by performing beside the Love is Owl You Need statue next to Coes along Barrack Lane, near Norwich Road.
From here her route saw her visit all 50 statues, which form the Big Hoot Ipswich 2022, the third art trail brought to Ipswich by St Elizabeth Hospice in partnership with creative producers Wild in Art. During her singing challenge Roma sang 50 songs, including Dancing Queen by ABBA and Happy by Pharrell Williams, with the opportunity for the public to donate towards her target of raising £1,000 for St Elizabeth Hospice.
“I have been really keen to do this challenge since I learnt the Big Hoot Ipswich 2022 would be taking place,” explained Roma.
“I loved singing around all the Elmers in 2019 and wanted to challenge myself to do this again and raise more funds for the hospice to support the brilliant work they do in my local community.
“St Elizabeth Hospice really does mean a lot to me as they have really supported me with my performing and it’s nice to give back to them whenever I can. Today’s challenge has gone really well so far and I am so pleased we have already nearly raised more than £1,000 for the charity – thank you to everyone who has donated!”
A well-known local singer, Roma has supported the hospice for a number of years through volunteering for the charity, fundraising and performing at hospice events, such as Suffolk Remembers. While in 2019, she busked around all 55 Elmer statues as part of the hospice’s art trail, Elmer’s Big Parade Suffolk, raising £498 for the charity in the process.
Brandon Orton, the community fundraiser at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “Roma has been a brilliant hospice supporter for so many years, it really is a privilege to collaborate alongside such a talented young person, in their fundraising efforts for the hospice.
“She is a fantastic hospice ambassador and we really hope she inspires other young people to learn more about the hospice and the support we provide to people of all ages through East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney. Her latest fundraising challenge, busking around the Big Hoots, has gone brilliantly and as ever she has brought lots of joy and smiles to everyone who has heard her sing.”
To donate towards Roma’s challenge visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/romashootbuskingchallenge or text hootsong to 70490. All money raised will go towards St Elizabeth Hospice.
Facebook and Instagram @romasworlduk, #teamroma or #letmusicunite.
As part of the Big Hoot Ipswich 2022, 50 ornately decorated owl sculptures, featuring a range of designs have made their nests throughout Ipswich. These will be available for everyone to view and enjoy between 19th June and 3rd September, as part of the biggest free art event in Suffolk which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the town.
For more information about the Big Hoot 2022 go to thebighoot.co.uk.
