A fundraiser occasion has been launched in reminiscence of a much-loved native musician, dancer and actor recognized regionally as Banbury’s Billy Elliott.
Conor Dowers a well-known musician, actor and dancer tragically handed away on the age of twenty-two on December 21, 2020. He was a pupil in his remaining yr on the prestigious stage college, the Urdang Academy in London.
Shut household mates Tiana Riley, Sylvia Riley and Daybreak Bennett have organised a charity soccer event to assist the household pay for a gravestone for Conor. The soccer event might be this Sunday June 27 from 10am to 6pm at Wykham Park Academy, Ruskin Highway, Banbury.
The, six-a-side pleasant soccer event, has confirmed extremely popular.
Tiana mentioned: “All of the groups fully crammed up and bought out inside 24 hours. I needed to broaden it from 12 to 16 groups. All of the boys are actually excited.”
The group occasion may even embody assorted stalls, meals, leisure and a petting nook with goats. The occasion is £2 per particular person for normal admission and £5 per household (two adults and two kids).
The soccer event might be adopted by an public sale on the Banbury Cross Pub. There are additionally a lot of raffle prizes with tickets on sale at Banbury Cross Pub. Raffle tickets are additionally out there from Daybreak Bennett through direct message on Fb.
A number of the public sale’s high gadgets embody a signed Scott McTominay Manchester United soccer shirt (additionally signed by a number of teammates) and a signed John McGinn Aston Villa shirt.
Social distancing and different Covid laws might be adopted on the occasion, which is allowed beneath Authorities tips as an out of doors charitable occasion.
Tiana added: “I’ve recognized Conor for 19 years. After we have been two we met on the Sharon Inexperienced Dance Academy.
“I’m simply attempting to assist elevate cash for a gravestone. I do know Conor would’ve achieved this for anyone. He was only a actually beloved boy.
“Conor was a kind of lads who may flip his hand at something, and soccer was a kind of issues. He was knowledgeable dancer, however he was good at soccer too.”
Conor attended dance lessons from the age of two along with his sister, Francesca.
He educated in ballet, faucet and fashionable with the Sharon Inexperienced Academy of Dance and Musical Theatre. He attended Scottish dance lessons with the Acushla Highland Dancing Faculty (now Rosewood Highland Dancing Faculty) the place he carried out with Pipe Main Steve Duffy and the Scots Guards for the Queen in The Beating Retreat, The Berlin Tattoo and lots of different occasions.
He went onto prepare as a Saturday Affiliate on the London Studio Centre while at Stratford Upon Avon Faculty. Conor additionally carried out within the curtain raiser for Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Magnificence at Birmingham Hippodrome.
Conor was well-known in Banbury and recognized regionally as Banbury’s Billy Elliott, having performed the main function as a pupil of Banbury Faculty aged 12 years. He completed his remaining yr at college enjoying the older Simba in The Lion King.
Conor grew up on stage performing in lots of beginner dramatic theatre group exhibits together with, Odyssey Youth, YOBOS and The The Lynden Gamers. His final roles have been because the leads in Pippin and Singin’ within the Rain.
His mom Susan mentioned: “Conor impressed many boys to begin dancing and to enter musical theatre. I used to be very happy with him.
“Conor’s funeral befell on Saturday, twenty third January at Bodicote Church the place he was christened. It was his remaining efficiency, a celebration of his life as a son, buddy and his life on stage, the place he beloved to be. Following the service, the hearse paused on the ballet college the place everybody clapped their arms for Conor in respect.
“Conor was laid to relaxation at Bodicote Cemetery. His nice Nan and Uncle Andrew are buried there. There have been three singers on the burial: Josh Berrie, Joseph Bruce and Isaac Stuart who wrote his personal tune for Conor: ‘Carry on Dancing’.
“The household wish to thank Edd Frost from Edd Frost and Daughters, Rev Dan McGowan, Steve, Mandy and Will Duffy and Sharon and Allan Inexperienced for all their assist with Conor’s service.
“The household are very grateful to everybody who got here out to pay their respects for Conor.”
