Jack’s labour of love will be a sell-out

By Colin Grant THE Spirit of Youth concert, in support of our Hospice Appeal, is heading for a sell-out.  Nearly 1600 tickets have been sold for what will be a unique Scottish event. With two weeks to go, there just over 200 tickets left, so if you want to enjoy eight performances by some of the very best of Scotland’s young music and dance talent, you’d better move fast!  Many people have worked hard to bring this show from the drawing board to the stage of the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.  But one man, above all, has taken personal responsibility to ensure it’ll be a success.  For Jack Zimmer, staging this concert has been a labour of love. Jack, a very young and fit 84-year-old, is the convenor of the Variety Club’s Variety at Work committee. Since retiring 20 years ago, he’s worked full-time for various good causes.  Most of his activities involve helping children with special educational needs, or those from socially-deprived backgrounds. “We raise money and then use it to organise Christmas outings, concerts, trips, parties etc.,” he reveals.  “Thousands of children benefit every year.” But around 10 years ago, one particular charity, CHAS, touched his heart.  “I worked as an advisor on special educational needs in the old Glasgow Corporation,” recalls Jack, “And I dealt with requests for respite care from families. “In those days, there was no alternative but to send them to the north-east of England — there was no hospice in Scotland. “It was a dreadful situation for families to have to put up with, and it was also very costly. Rachel House “So when CHAS came along with a plan to build what became known as Rachel House, I did everything in my power to help.” The Variety Club, under Jack’s leadership, raised £87,500 for Rachel House.  Now he’s determined to match that figure for the planned new hospice on the shores of Loch Lomond. His committee is responsible for raising sponsorship, advertising and ticket sales for the Spirit of Youth concert. “The quality of those performing is so great, I always knew it would be a sell-out,” says Jack.  “Now, with around 225 tickets left, it’s virtually guaranteed.” Spirit of Youth takes place on Sunday, November 25, at 7.30 pm. Tickets, (£10.50 & £12.50 for adults; £8.50 & £10.50 for children), are available from the ticket hotline, 0141 353 8000, or the Concert Hall box office.

You can e-mail us at: hospice@sundaypost.com