AN event to launch a community fund in the name of a well-known Salisbury man was a "resounding success".
Salisbury Arts Centre hosted a sell-out night of live music from some of Thom Belk's most-loved local bands on Saturday, August 10.
Mr Belk was extremely active in Salisbury's music and football scenes but died suddenly aged 36 on Boxing Day last year, leaving a community in a saddened state of shock.
In a bid to carry on Mr Belk's legacy, youth charity the Rose Gale Trust introduced the Thom Belk Community Fund to support up-and-coming 14 to 24-year-old musicians with buying everything from equipment to bus passes.
The charity aims to benefit the well-being of youngsters and empower communities through grants which are funded from events such as this.
Colin Holton, director of Salisbury Live and committee member of the Rose Gale Trust, said: "It was a resounding success. It was fantastic.
"We had seven of his favourite acts but we could do this three or four times over because Thom just loved music."
Rude Giant supplied a limited edition celebratory 'Thom's Tipple' ale for £4 and Belko burgers were on sale outside the venue, both of which "went down really well".
"The Arts Centre is the best live music venue in the south," Mr Holton boldly claimed.
"It was all so professionally-run. Carsick is one of the biggest bands coming out of the area and they dropped everything to come and do this."
Tickets for the Thom Belk Community Fund event sold out and the Arts Centre reached its capacity of 380 people.
Other acts who played on the night include Signature Vision, Lump, Charmtype, The Helmets, CLS and Alex Morgan-Wardrop.
Hoping to "keep flying the Belko flag", Mr Holton is already thinking about the next event he can host to raise money for the charity.
Thom Belk was instrumental in creating the Salisbury Music Awards and Wilton Live and Mr Holton wants to continue this legacy.
He is also trying to recruit committee members who would meet every month to decide which applicants receive grants from the community fund.
Anyone interested in becoming a committee member for the Rose Gale Trust should email passengerclub@ntlworld.com.
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