PARALYMPIAN Rachel Morris was the special guest of inspirational Witley fundraiser Dan Eley at his foundation’s Spring Benefit Concert staged by Godalming College music department.

The mayors of Waverley and Godalming and representatives from Surrey Youth Focus, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and Surrey Youth Services joined students and their families at the packed event.

Profits from the popular Dan Eley Foundation annual fundraiser will be used in conjunction with Waverley Borough Council’s Youth Support Team to provide opportunities for disadvantaged young people to be part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

Rachel, who has overcome great adversity to win two Paralympic Golds in cycling and rowing, befriended Dan at Stoke Mandeville in 2010.

It was her determination that inspired him, following the diving accident in 2010 that left him paralysed from the chest down, to launch his charity to fund apprenticeship-style training schemes for children living in poverty in Colombia.

His foundation now also supports young people in Surrey who need skills to get into work and helps talented students from deprived backgrounds get the right start in life.

Rachel gave a motivational speech at the concert, praising the hard work college music students do and encouraging them to remain dedicated so that they, too, can become champions in their field.

Highlights of the first half of the concert included the theme music from ‘Schindler’s List’ performed by the concert orchestra, featuring rousing soloist Rosie Sutton, a performance of Kiki Dee and Elton John’s 1970s No. 1 hit ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” by the Godalming College Singers, – and an upbeat rendition of ‘St Thomas’ by the jazz band

There was also a dramatic performance of Michael Jackson’s ‘Earth Song’ by the Godalming College Singers and the jazz band arranged by A-level student Toby Anderson, which accompanied an emotional photographic presentation following Dan from his rehabilitation to his charity work in Columbia.

The second half featured three choral pieces performed by the chamber choir, solos Alice White and Eyra Norman and performances of ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’ from ‘Hairspray’ plus an Abba medley performed by the concert orchestra.

Dan led the congratulations to students for a wonderful evening and said what a triumph it was for Godalming College students to give their time and their talent to raise money for other local young people who, for whatever reason, had received setbacks in life.