Semi final showdown set for Burnley's Got Talent as competition tops the £7,000 fundraising mark for NHS

An online talent show, launched by two friends who wanted to bring some lockdown fun to Burnley people and help make money for a good cause, has raised an incredible £7,000 in two weeks.
By Susan Plunkett
Published 4th May 2020, 15:45 GMT
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Burnley's Got Talent has now topped the leader board for fund raising events in the county for the East Lancashire Health Trust, much to the surprise and delight of the organisers, best pals Shelly Heap and Justine Lorriman.

Shelly, who is bar manager at Lowerhouse Cricket Club, said: "We are absolutely overwhelmed by the response to the competition and the generosity of people who have donated.

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"We never dreamed that we could achieve this when we came up with the idea."

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There is still time to vote for your favourite act to go through to the semi finals of Burnley's Got TalentThere is still time to vote for your favourite act to go through to the semi finals of Burnley's Got Talent
There is still time to vote for your favourite act to go through to the semi finals of Burnley's Got Talent

Launched on facebook two weeks ago, the Burnley's Got Talent group now has 12,000 members.

At the launch, 64 contestants entered to be in with a chance of winning the £200 cash prize, donated by the organisers and other supporters, and the chance to perform at Burnley Live in 2021.

Video messages asking people to support the contest and donate to the fund for the East Lancashire Health Trust have been sent from a host of stars including Burnley's cricketing legend James Anderson, Burnley player Nick Pope and Alastair Campbell, a well known Clarets fan and former press secretary to Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair.

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Forty acts, including singers, dancers,comedians and magicians of all ages, went through to the quarter finals, held on Saturday night and the top 20 who receive the most votes will go through to the semi finals this weekend.

Watching the line up of acts on Burnley's Got Talent is a weekend ritual for Sylvia Box (back) whose daughter Shelly Heap is one of the competition organisers. Neighbour Linda Jopson and other residents also like joining in to cheer on the contestants.Watching the line up of acts on Burnley's Got Talent is a weekend ritual for Sylvia Box (back) whose daughter Shelly Heap is one of the competition organisers. Neighbour Linda Jopson and other residents also like joining in to cheer on the contestants.
Watching the line up of acts on Burnley's Got Talent is a weekend ritual for Sylvia Box (back) whose daughter Shelly Heap is one of the competition organisers. Neighbour Linda Jopson and other residents also like joining in to cheer on the contestants.

Voting ends tomorrow night and anyone who wishes to see the acts is asked to go to the facebook page where they can view the latest videos of each one.

Well known Elvis impersonator Andy Brown will stage a facebook live performance on Friday evening to help boost the charity fund and also warm everyone up for Saturday night's semi final.

The top five acts will win a place in the final.

A number of companies have got on board with sponsorship for the competition and also by making donations.

The semi final is being sponsored by 4x4vehiclehire.co.uk and Shelly has revealed a 'big' announcement regarding the sponsor of the final will be made soon.

Related topics:BurnleyNHSNick PopeAlastair CampbellTony BlairJames AndersonJustine Lorriman