Nairn singer ‘chuffed’ at fundraiser as she prepares to perform at Ness Factor 2024 final
A Nairn singer hopes to give an ‘emotional performance’ as she prepares to hit the stage for the Ness Factor 2024 final on Saturday.
Jo Turner (33) who returned to her hometown three years ago and works as a sub-editor and as bartender at The Bandstand said she is looking forward to the big night after preparing the show and fundraising for the past months.
Having raised £3200 for the Highland Hospice so far - from her original target of £1000 - she said she was incredibly happy with the result.
“I am super chuffed with how it turned out,” she said.
“We have gone way beyond target and with this being my first real crack at proper fundraising, I am very happy with how it turned out.
“With my partner Chick we have been out busking in Inverness and Edinburgh this summer, and we had a big open mic day at the Bandstand pub - which is also my sponsor.
“We had games, music, raffle, auction - it was a really fun day and we raised more than 1800 just on that day. It’s been super fun!”
She said that working with her voice coach Fiona she has found a new confidence in her own voice and helped her reach notes she thought
“Fiona has been absolutely amazing, I loved working with her and we had a great connection.
“She has been great, and helped me reach some of the notes that I didn’t think were possible for my own voice in the choir!
“From this experience, I also realised that I might have been an auction caller in a past life! I was calling the auction at my fundraising event and I had a great time!
“I’ve really loved that we have been working with coaches all summer, but also working with the TFX dance team has been amazing. That’s really the point where you put everything together as a show.”
Jo, who is a regular at open mics night at the Bandstand, said she is really looking forward to Saturday.
“It’s crazy to think it’s almost here,” she said.
“I feel pretty good. We all have put in loads of work and prep with the voice coaches and the dance team, with each other and the choir rehearsals. The only thing left to do now is enjoy the night!”
Although her song of choice is still a secret, she said: “It’s a well-known song covered by a few different people, and hopefully it’s going to be an emotional performance.
“It’s been a great opportunity to raise money for such a good cause, I am looking forward to it - thank you to my sponsor and to anyone who has donated and helped me out - especially Chick who was out busking with me all summer - and to all the other finalists, voice coaches and Ness Factor team for making it such a fun experience.”
You can support Jo’s fundraiser for the Highland Hospice via her Just Giving page.
The finals for Ness Factor 2024 will be held on Saturday, October 26 at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness.
