OLYMPIAN Roger Black was the special guest at the Dan Eley Foundation’s spring benefit concert last week, which was performed by Godalming College students.

In their memorable first meeting, the British 400metres champion passed the Olympic Torch to Dan, in Godalming High Street, in July 2012.

Mr Black said in a speech highlighting what the charity has achieved: “What Dan has achieved in the four years since then proves that when you have the spirit and determination anything is possible.

“Dan has put 200 destitute youngsters from the Colombian slums through accountancy training and into white-collar work. His foundation also funds young people in Waverley to help them fulfil their potential.

“What is wonderful about this evening is seeing better-off young people, from Godalming College’s music department, using their talents to make a difference to less fortunate youngsters in their own back yard.

“Funds raised will help distressed youngsters from Waverley, who may end up at the age of 18 with no qualifications whatsoever, undertake the expedition section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

“Self-belief and confidence so often stems from making a personal commitment to push beyond your limits and to keep on doing that until you reach undreamed of goals. The award is the perfect vehicle to give young people the opportunities to challenge themselves.”

The students performed a wide range of musical genres to a packed audience at Godalming United Church, which also included the mayors of Waverley and Godalming and representatives of Surrey Youth Focus, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and Surrey Youth Services.

The evening was compered by Tessa Duncan, an ex-student of Godalming College, who supported the charity throughout her time at college and has spent her gap year volunteering as a teacher and helper at the Foundation for the Education of All in Calli, Columbia, with partner charity FEDUT.

More than 100 students play music at the college in a full programme of activities, and the college concert orchestra, jazz band, chamber choir, Godalming Singers, string ensemble all took part.

The first half of the concert concluded with a performance by Andy Duerden, a songwriter and musician who wrote the song ‘Hey Traveller’ to raise money to fly Dan back after the accident in Columbia that left him paralysed from the shoulders down.

Mezzo-soprano Hanna Poulsom performed ‘Climb Every Mountain’ by Rogers and Hammerstein at the request of the Dan Eley Foundation’s trustees.

Supported by Dan’s mother Carolyn Eley, the students have formed a group called ‘Friends of Dan’, led by Tessa.

She has now handed the leadership role on to Ben Sheppard a current upper sixth student. The Friends of Dan raise money through events at college and support bigger events in the community, such as the annual Dan Eley Quiz in November.

Dan thanked students for giving their time and their talent to raise money for other young people in Surrey who, for whatever reason, find themselves disadvantaged. The profits from the concert will be used in conjunction with Waverley Borough Council’s youth support team to provide opportunities and challenges for young people who are not in employment, education or training, to be part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.