We’re ready to rock in memory of Joe

A FEW tickets remain for a rock extravaganza in Bristol in memory of a young man who tragically died after being assaulted in the city centre.

Rock 4 Charity, at the Colston Hall tomorrow night is a memorial gig for Joe Dymond-Williams, who died aged 17 in 2008, after he was punched and kicked in the head after trying to calm down a row between a girl and her boyfriend in King Street.

Musician and event co-ordinator Darren “Daz” Sims, 38, originally from Bedminster, has organised big charity concerts at the Colston Hall every year since 2007.

This year he has decided to hold a gig in memory of Joe and now has only a couple of hundred tickets remaining for the event, which is already on course to raise more than £10,000.

All profits from the event will be donated to the Rainbow Centre for Children, as chosen by Joe’s parents Gabe and John, which helps children affected by cancer, life-threatening illness or bereavement.

Acts taking part in the show include Flash Harry, Copperhead, Chuff, The Treacles, Daz, The Wild Gulloots, Teresa Alexander, Ryan Mills, Joe Peake, Josh Clayfield, Danny Pugh and Spectrum BS3 Dancers.

There will also be an after-show party at Eton, Baldwin Street, from 11pm to 4am featuring Big Night Out and The Mystic Weasels.

Joe, who was from Whitchurch, died at Frenchay Hospital on July 8 two years ago from fractures to his skull.

The St Brendan’s Sixth Form College student – who was studying maths, psychology, business studies and sports studies – was a popular young man and was mourned by hundreds of people at his funeral service at Christ the King Catholic church in Knowle West.

Thomas Swift, formerly of Ellfield Close, Highridge, was sentenced to a minimum term of nine years in jail after being convicted of murdering Joe after kicking him in the head as he lay helpless on the ground in Queen Charlotte Street in the city on June 21, 2008.

Swift’s friend Jack Sanderson-Hunt, who punched Joe to the ground as the teenager tried to calm the initial argument, was jailed for three-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to manslaughter.

The Rock 4 Charity concert starts at 7pm and tickets cost £10.

To book contact the Colston Hall box office on 922 3686.