South Shields performer and former X-Factor winner Joe McElderry has announced he will be throwing a special charity gig at Durham Cathedral this autumn to raise money for a local mental health charity.
Joe is to perform on November 19 in aid of If U Care Share - the County Durham charity for which he is an ambassador. The charity, set up by the family of Daniel O'Hare following his sudden death 17 years ago, works to deliver suicide prevention support, mental health awareness, and help for those bereaved by suicide.
Joe has been an ambassador for the charity for several years now. In announcing the gig, he spoke about his own mental health. He said: "I think mental health awareness is a really important thing and what the charity does and continues to do is incredible."
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Discussing what had helped him with his own mental health, the star said: "Being honest with how you feel. You have nothing to be ashamed of and if you let people know how you feel, then they can always help you.
"A favourite quote of mine - and one I did use in a song - is, 'Don't wait for the storm to pass, learn to dance in the rain.' Sometimes life does throw challenging times at you and if you can find little happy moments in those challenging times it can be really helpful."
Joe said he was really looking forward to the gig - with all proceeds going to the charity - and said he knew "it's going to be a really special evening" and "a celebration of the charity and the work they do".
To find out more about the gig and buy tickets, visit bit.ly/joeatthecathedral
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