Mel C: The anger that makes me sing for Rhys Jones

MERSEYSIDE Spice Girl Mel C today told of the two emotions which inspired her to play at a concert dedicated to murdered schoolboy Rhys Jones.

She spoke of her anger about the death of the 11-year-old, who was shot as he walked home from football practice last year.

She also told of her pride in the city she loves, saying she was “over the moon” to be performing at the 10,000-seater ECHO arena.

The 34-year-old star hopes the concert will help raise enough cash to build a community centre dedicated to Rhys near his family’s home in Croxteth.

Melanie said today: “We aim to ensure Rhys’s name will live on, and that other children have the opportunity to benefit from a community centre where they can play in a safe environment.

“I don’t know a person who wasn’t moved by what happened to Rhys.


“It was tragic and it made me so angry.

“When I was a kid you could play out and it was nothing like it is today. I hope this concert helps to make a difference.”

The August 15 fund-raiser will be special for Melanie, as her mother Joan O’Neill will also spice up the show by starring on the same stage.

Melanie, who is originally from Rainhill and grew up in Widnes, said: “My mum is more famous than me in Liverpool. Everyone always remembers her gigs and asks how she is.

“I love seeing her on stage. We sang together in New York and also at her 50th birthday in Liverpool. But we’ve never done anything like this before.

“It will be special to perform at the same show.

“It will be even better because it is in Liverpool. Like every Scouser I’m very proud of my home city.

“Liverpool has some great venues, but it was about time it had its own arena.

“We can now compete with other cities. I’m over the moon to be performing at the ECHO arena.

“I hope we get lots of bums on seats and raise a lot of money for the community centre.

“We will be bringing along a lot of family and friends from Liverpool.

“I hope there will be enough seats left to accommodate us. They don’t want to miss this.”

Melanie, now in London after playing a number of summer music festivals, is making sure her time on stage is a perfect tribute to Rhys.

She added: “I’m used to playing longer sets, so it was difficult to choose the songs. But I’ve decided on an acoustic set and songs which are appropriate for the concert.

“I can’t wait to be part of it. I hope the people of Merseyside and beyond join together to support this fantastic event.”

The idea for the family concert came from two of Rhys’s mother Melanie’s friends, Kate Mayers and Sarah Doughty.

The ECHO got on board and brought in city promoter Lyn Staunton, of Power Promotions.

Lyn, a friend of Melanie’s mother Joan, ensured it will be a star-studded Scouse line-up.

Lyn said: “When I was approached to put a show together the first person I knew I could count on was Joan.

“Joan had told me how Melanie had great sympathy for the Joneses and would help anyway she could to raise funds for the memorial centre.

“Within days she came back and said Melanie was on board.’’

The concert also aims to highlight the anti-gun crime message of our Liverpool Unites campaign.

Tickets are available from the ECHO arena on 0844 8000 400 or online at www.accliverpool.com They cost £20/£15, subject to a booking/handling fee.