A West End star and former student at Ipswich High School is staging a charity gala at the Woolverstone school in aid of St Elizabeth Hospice.

Ipswich Star: Gemma Naylor. Picture: GEMMA NAYLORGemma Naylor. Picture: GEMMA NAYLOR (Image: Archant)

Gemma Naylor, who has appeared in west end productions such as Sunset Boulevard and is a former Nickelodeon television presenter, is hoping to raise around £3,000 from the event.

Tickets are now on sale for the charity gala on Sunday, January 21.

The event will feature musical numbers from her friends and fellow West End stars and other musical performances from local bands and groups.

Ms Naylor, originally from Brantham, said: “I have grouped together my friends from the West End shows alongside local talent to create what I hope will be a magical evening.

Ipswich Star: Alison Hammond and Gemma Naylor, both performing in a pantomime at Malvern Theatres. Picture: GEMMA NAYLORAlison Hammond and Gemma Naylor, both performing in a pantomime at Malvern Theatres. Picture: GEMMA NAYLOR (Image: Archant)

“We lost a friend, Neriah Kumah, to cancer six years ago. She was a London girl and very much into charity events. We are doing it in memory of her but also for local people who have lost loved ones to caner.

“I have lots of friends whose partners and loved ones have been really well looked after at the hospice. They rely heavily on charitable donations and events to keep going.

“My friends have so much praise for the hospice, for the emotional support as well as the physical support, which can sometimes be overlooked during terminal illnesses.

“Neriah always believed in using your talents to bring joy to other people and dedicated alot of her time in encouraging children to get involved in the arts so it was important to me that the gala was a mix of professionals and budding stars of tomorrow.”

Ms Naylor has been performing as Cinderella in pantomime at Malvern Theatre over the festive period.

She will rejoin the UK tour of Sunset Boulevard, which visits the Ipswich Regent from March 5-10.

She said: “I hope as many people as possible attend the charity gala. There should be space for about 300 people.

“It will be an evening of variety. There will be a jazz duet, a Colchester-based stage school performance, and some of my friends from the West End, who have been in Phantom of the Opera and Evita, will also perform.”

• Tickets cost £10. Buy them here.