England rugby star Henry Slade wants a sell-out at charity concert in Plymouth

England fly-half Henry Slade dives for the try line in the Six Nations win over France

ENGLAND rugby player Henry Slade is hoping to see the last few tickets snapped up for a charity concert in Plymouth on Friday night (April 5).

George Stephenson (right) batting with Steve Luffman for Plymouth CCThe concert at St Andrews Church in the city centre remembers city sportsman George Stephenson, who was only 24 when he died in September 2017 after a two-year battle against cancer.

Henry and George were pupils and team-mates together at Plymouth College before going their separate ways.

George went to the University of Bath and played rugby and cricket for fun. Henry signed for Exeter Chiefs and embarked on a professional rugby career that has so far earned him a Premiership title and 25 England caps.

Stephenson, who played rugby for Saltash and OPM and cricket for Plymouth, was a talented musician who graduated from playing the drums in a band to singing in a choir in front of thousands of people.

While being treated for his illness in 2016, Stephenson toured the country with the CLIC Sargent Singers, raising money for the fight against the cancer that killed him.

Friday night’s concert, being led by singers from the four La La Choir groups all over Devon, is a joint fund-raiser for cancer charities and a fund set-up to rebuild the ageing sports pavilion at Plymouth College.

The majority of the 600 tickets for the concert have already been sold, but Slade won’t be satisfied unless there is a full house.

“I would love to see the place packed out in honour of this special bloke,” said Slade.

Tickets are still available via the Plymouth College website https://www.plymouthcollege.com/770/alumni