FOUNDERS of a charity set up in memory of Warrington band Viola Beach have announced that the foundation will officially close for good this month after seven successful years supporting children within the community.
But co-owner Sharon Dunne said ‘the spirit of the boys’ will ‘live on’ through the charity’s shop - Vintage Viola.
“I feel like after seven years, we have done so much and it is quite hard to keep pushing on,” she said.
The performing arts foundation has announced its closure on the seven-year anniversary of the tragedy which saw all four band mates and the manager die in a fatal car crash in Sweden – just hours after playing at a festival.
The River Reeves foundation, named after bandmate River, has raised more than £70,000 through organising major events in the town including the iconic annual RiverFest.
The funding has then been used to hand out bursaries to creative talented youngsters, giving them a push to help each achieve their dreams.
Speaking on their decision to end this chapter for the charity, River’s stepmother, Sharon said: “This was always a legacy project and we have done what we set out to achieve.
“The shop is not disappearing and will evolve into something even more amazing.”
Referring to Vintage Viola which opened on behalf of the foundation back in 2018 in the heart of Warrington at Golden Square, Sharon said the space has been and will be something of a ‘legacy’ for the band.
The shop currently sells quirky vintage clothing on the ground floor, with proceeds going to the charity, and has a space on the second floor which is used as a ‘hang out’ for young people to get off the street and into the warmth.
“River used to hang out in shopping trolleys, there was nothing to do in the centre and I feel like we have created a space and a hub for young people to go, we have achieved that.”
Revealing openly her feelings of closing the foundation that was created in memory of River, she said: “I feel like I have gotten my closure. I have found my peace; the shop has in some way made me feel whole.”
Fellow founder of the charity and father to River, Ben Reeves said how the pair can now be ‘proud’ of what they have achieved for their late son.
“It feels like the right time to close the foundation,” Ben explained. “Although it has been a hard decision, I don’t necessarily think it is a bad thing.”
The pair have managed to achieve many great things during the time the foundation was running for, including delivering RiverFest every year from 2016 up to 2022 – with last year’s being held in Golden Square.
Picture: Kristopher Tolley
As well as that, the foundation held Warrington School’s Arts’ Festival during the pandemic to help showcase the towns young artistic talent.
Further successful fundraisers included the Rainbow Balls put on by the foundation and Rivers Runner fundraising events were also a source of extreme pride for the charity founders.
Ben spoke of his personal reasons for closing up, detailing how he had held a Ted Talk last year speaking about the foundation and dealing with the grief of losing a child.
“I watched this Ted Talk back a week ago and I realised that I was almost asking River for permission to move on.
“It was so obvious when I watched it, I was almost saying to him ‘do I have permission now to move on now’”.
The former Penketh head teacher spoke of his gratitude to those who have supported the foundation and the work it has achieved over the years, including famous pop band Coldplay.
“Coldplay have been amazing, the Glastonbury tribute blew us away,” he said.
“They have stayed in touch with us, and Phil Harvey and the band have been really heart-warming in conversations we have had in the past.”
Ben added that while the charity will no longer be raising money for bursaries, their heavy involvement and funding that went into young artist programme, The Royal College of Music, will not end here as the pair are still passionate about the programme and hope to stay in touch.
The charity raised £30,000 towards getting the project off the ground and this resulted in 14 young talented artists receiving bursaries.
A huge supporter of the charity and centre director of Golden Square, Ian Cox said the centre ‘bought into’ the charity’s vision straight away when they proposed plans to set up Vintage Viola.
“What the foundation set out to achieve we bought into immediately,” he said.
“I think the end of the foundation doesn’t mean the end of the store; we are very keen to keep that going.”
Ian played a huge role in enabling the foundation to open the shop in a prime location in Golden Square, believing in the vision of creating a hub for young people to express their talents and creativity.
“What the shop and the foundation stand for and the legacy of what they wanted will not end.
“They wanted a home where young people’s ideas could become a reality.
“A place to tell the story, to showcase creativity and talent of the people in Warrington and we have bought into that from the start.
“We have really enjoyed working with the guys. The foundation has given people a start and we want to continue to help those people,” Ian added.
Ben who also runs separate charity Warrington Youth Rowing will continue to search for funding to encourage schools and pupils in Warrington to take up the sport of rowing.
He said that ‘although River hated rowing’ it is still another ‘legacy’ that belongs in memory of his son.
Voicing her gratitude for the support they have received throughout the years, Sharon concluded: “A massive thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years.
“The spirit of the boys lives on in the shop.”
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