DOZENS of poorly youngsters and their families have been left devastated at the news that a money-raising concert has been postponed.Reachout 2002, with bands including Blue, Liberty X and 3SL, aimed to raise £100,000 for East Anglian Children's Hospices at the concert that should have been held on Sunday at Norwich Showground.

DOZENS of poorly youngsters and their families have been left devastated at the news that a money-raising concert has been postponed.

Reachout 2002, with bands including Blue, Liberty X and 3SL, aimed to raise £100,000 for East Anglian Children's Hospices at the concert that should have been held on Sunday at Norwich Showground.

Organisers Bison Event Management said the concert was being rescheduled for next spring.

A spokesman for Bison, said: "In common with many other events within East Anglia, ticket sales have been affected by recent tragic events. Sales were insufficient to provide a meaningful contribution to the children's hospice.

"We have decided it would be more appropriate to postpone the event and re-schedule the concert for spring 2003," he added.

The news has left Ipswich Children's Hospice devastated as many of the children and families were looking forward to seeing their pop idols perform as well as raising money for the hospices.

Robin Sharp is the community fundraiser for the hospices.

"Of course we are very sad I have had to break the news to the families and children. There were more than 80 family members, staff and children going along. It was going to be a great day with lots for them to do and a chance to see some really popular bands.

"I have had to phone round and let them know the news. They were disappointed but they were very good about it.

"The concert was also going to raise a lot of money for the hospices which would have made a real difference to us as we rely almost totally on donations and fundraising. We will just have to wait to see if it will be rescheduled," he said.

Boy bands Blue and 3SL were due to perform along with Liberty X, Claire Sweeney and Rik Waller. It was billed as one of the biggest concerts in the region and it was hoped they would sell more than 20,000 tickets.

It is as yet unclear why the concert has been postponed or when it has been rescheduled to.

The management company Bison Event Management, based in Northampton, have not been available for comment.

The East Anglian Children's Hospices are in Ipswich, Quidenham in Norfolk and Milton, Cambridge. All were set to benefit from the concert.