A SPECIAL concert to help underprivileged children in Romania is set to take place in Okehampton tomorrow (Friday). The concert, performed by jazz band 'In The Sweet Bye and Bye,' will take place in Fairplace Church, Okehampton at 7.30pm. It is to support a unit caring for children in Slobozia, Romania, who suffer from AIDS and are HIV positive. For 18 years, Jackie Adcock, wife of Edwin Adcock, who plays drums in the band, has been working in Romania. For the last few years she has worked for a unit in Slobozia who look after children and teenagers who are HIV positive and suffer from the AIDS virus. Mrs Adcock said: 'I got involved way back through the Anneka Rice appeal. In lots of ways it's improved tremendously but the cost of living has spiralled , inflation has increased and so has poverty. 'The more money we can raise the better — it really will help. A lot of the children don't know they have the virus and it is still a stigma to talk about it.' The band is made up of trombonist Bob Manuel, Gordon Hunt on clarinet, John Baker on banjo, sousaphonist Richard Willey and Edwin Adcock on drums. The music will be a programme of hymns and spirituals of New Orleans and the band will be supported by Okehampton Men's Forum Choir. Further information about the event and the work in Romania can be obtained from Mr or Mrs Adcock on 01837 53302.
