Thurrock Marching Brass march down Wembley Way for cancer research

Publish Date: 15 Apr 2016 - 3725 views

The members of Thurrock Marching Brass set themselves at the top of Wembley way to start a procession all the way to the Bobby Moore Statue situated at the Bobby Moore entrance of the world famous Wembley Stadium.

Joined for the day by members from High Voltage Big Band and Essex Marching Corps, it was an inspiring community effort which saw the band lead young fund raising extraordinaire Jonjo Heuerman and some of his close friends on the last leg of his journey to bring a replica of the Jules Rimet World Cup trophy all the way from Germany to its final resting place at Webley Stadium, celebrating 50 years of England winning the World Cup at this very location and at the previous stadium. Jonjo walked or cycled the entire journey, some 450 miles to complete this ‘March to the Arch’ fundraising effort.

Jonjo has now raised in excess of £250,000 for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research, having lost his Nan to the disease. Something that also took Bobby Moore away from us. An avid West Ham fan, the band arranged a special tribute of I’m forever blowing bubbles which they added to their repertoire for the day alongside other march tunes like London Bridge is Falling down, Oh When the Saints go Marching in and part of the new Football Crazy series of tunes the Match of the Day Theme. All were well received by a Wembley way flanked on either side by hundreds of 1960’s vespa motor cycles, giving the whole atmosphere one of celebration befitting such an occasion. At the Bobby Moore statue, a service of remembrance was given by West Ham’s Chaplin and as hundreds surrounded the statue to pay their respects to Bobby and all those who have lost their lives to cancer, Thurrock Marching Brass Chairman, Paul Morgan played the Last Post to honour each and every one of them.

Speaking of the day, Corps Director, Jay Lindner commented “To be asked to attend such an important landmark occasion as celebrating the 1966 World Cup win, as well as to honour all those who have lost or are indeed braving their battle with cancer was an incredible thing. With some members of my staff already joining in to play and march alongside the members, I also decided to reach out into the community to see if anyone would like to come along and join us for the day, and to have some representation from two amazing groups like High Voltage Big Band and Essex Marching Corps come along was something I will remember for a long time. That is what we are about here at Thurrock Marching Brass."

"The tribute Last Post, played by our chairman today was incredibly emotional too. The community means such a great deal to all of us here, and to give our very young members (some were performing for the very first time today) such a performance opportunity that they will remember for a long time to come, makes all the hard work preparing so well worthwhile. Huge congratulations to everyone who has played a part in preparing the youngsters for this event, and I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Donna, Jonjo’s Mum for inviting us. Given that Jonjo himself has only just turned 14, it demonstrates collectively just what great things our youngsters are really capable of, especially the youngsters here at Thurrock Marching Brass.”