A SPECIAL tribute concert inspired by a Ryedale teenager is being held at Norton College next month.

Never Forget will include performances by friends of Laura Robertson-Tierney, 18. They will sing songs that were special to her, as well as numbers from previous productions at the college, including Grease and We Will Rock You.

Laura, known as Louby, passed away in her mother’s arms at their home in Malton on February 29, following a ten-month battle with two aggressive brain tumours.

Ryedale Youth Theatre will preview numbers from their forthcoming show, Footloose, at Never Forget and there will also be performances from Dance Expression.

Some of the cast from Malton and Norton Musical Theatre’s production of Oliver! will take to the stage with members of Little Gems, while panto Dame Rory Queen will join fellow performers for a section featuring the musical Hairspray.

West End star and former pupil Lauren Hood will perform solo as well as taking part in an extract from Sister Act, while Jordan Langford and Nathan Lodge, both students at Italia Conti in London, will sing and take part in Take That – The Musical with some of Louby’s friends.

Clare Weatherill, one of the organisers, said the concert would be a tribute to Louby.

“Lou was such an inspiration to so many and worked tirelessly for Louby’s Lifeline throughout her illness,” she said.

“We wanted to give her something for herself and also to show her how much love and support there was for her and her family.

“The concert was organised and the money was for Louby but now we want the concert to be a tribute to her and the money to go to Emma to help her in this difficult time.”

Clare said that everyone was working hard to make it a special and memorable evening.

“It will be an amazing show for an amazing young woman and a chance for our community to come together and pay tribute to Louby’s strength and for all that she has done for others,” she added.

Never Forget will be held at Norton College on April, 2, 3 and 4 at 7pm. Tables for four costs £40, individual tickets cost £10. There will be a bar and drinks will be served to table. Phone Clare on 07846 107311 for tickets.

Hundreds of people travelled from across the country to attend a service of thanksgiving and say farewell to Louby last week.

The teenager was described as “an extraordinary and inspirational young lady” the service at St Mary’s Priory in Old Malton.

There was standing room only as Louby was carried in a white coffin, covered in her favourite stargazer lilies, into followed by her mum, Emma.

Speaking this week, her mum Emma said she would like to thank all those who attended the service.

She said: “I hope all those who attended the service were given an insight into what an extraordinary and very special girl she was.”

A retiring collection at the service raised more £2,000 for Louby’s Lifeline, a charity set up by the teenager to raise money into research.