By Debbie Leigh

AWARD-winning singer Corinne Bailey Rae is playing a special one-off gig in Leeds to raise money for victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking.

The home-grown star was recently nominated for yet more awards and has started work on the follow-up to her eponymous debut album, Corinne Bailey Rae.

She will be showcasing the new album at the concert at The Wardrobe on November 20.

The gig has been organised by Together for Peace and domestic violence charity, Leeds Women’s Aid (LWA) as part of the Together for Peace Festival and LWA’s 35th anniversary week of events.

Rosie Robinson, of LWA, said it was a dream come true having such a big name supporting the charity.

“It’s fantastic, someone that high profile taking an interest. It helps to demonstrate that violence against women and children is an issue that should be of concern to all women.”

The theme of the concert is Peace Begins at Home, aimed at highlighting the devastating effects of violence in the home and the often brutal reality of the sex industry.

Charities

It sets out to raise awareness of three Leeds charities, Sahara Black Women’s Refuge – for victims of domestic violence (tel: 0113 245 8459); STOP – which works with men to curb abusive behaviour (tel 0113 244 6007); LWA – which helped shelter 108 women and 188 children fleeing violence last year (tel: 0113 246 0401) ; and The Truth Isn’t Sexy campaign – highlighting the plight of women brought into the UK to make money for sex traffickers (website: www.thetruthisn’tsexy.com).

The audience will consist of people helped by the organisations, ticket winners and paying fans.

Corinne is an active campaigner and appeared at the Peace One Day Concert on Friday at the Royal Albert Hall, alongside Annie Lennox, Marc Almond and Yusuf Islam – formerly Cat Stevens. This week she heads to Malawi as ambassador for the charity Pump Aid.

The Together for Peace Festival, backed by the Yorkshire Evening Post, features a poetry contest, photo exhibition, children’s activities and football tournament. It runs from November 15 to 25, overlapping LWA’s 35th anniversary week from November 19 to November 25.

Tickets for the LWA ball at Leeds United Football Club on November 22 are £50. Ring Jackie Offord on 0790 543 6898. See future editions of the Yorkshire Evening Post for how to get tickets for Corinne’s gig.

debbie.leigh@ypn.co.uk