A spectacular summer fundraiser in Andover has brought in an impressive £10,880 for The Abel Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by mitochondrial disease.
The event, Music at the Manor, returned in full force on 12th July 2025 at Andover Manor, offering a day of sunshine, live music, and community togetherness. With temperatures peaking at 31°C, festivalgoers enjoyed a line-up of tribute bands and local performers, alongside street food stalls, a bustling bar, and plenty of family fun.
Claire Noakes, chair of The Abel Foundation and mother to 10-year-old Abel who lives with mitochondrial disease, expressed her delight at the success of the event. Reflecting on its origins, she said:
“Music at the Manor made its debut in August 2019, which was absolutely outstanding – an ambitious first step filled with stalls, live music, a buzzing bar, and BBQ delights. The response was overwhelming – everyone loved it.
Finally, July 2025 hit and we were back! Music at the Manor had returned with its biggest celebration yet. We had six incredible acts, including top tribute performances, a vibrant crowd with a sell-out of tickets, and temperatures soaring to 30°C. The atmosphere was electric. I felt extremely proud to be there, knowing what all of us had achieved from the moment we started planning it in March 2024 to the day of the event. There were food, drinks, stalls, and lots of smiles, laughter, dancing, and raising awareness for the charity – along with making lots of pennies and pounds.”
The Abel Foundation offers crucial support to families navigating the challenges of mitochondrial disease, providing emotional assistance, financial help, and practical resources for both children and adults.
Thanks to the funds raised from the event, the foundation will be able to distribute its annual grants and extend its support to even more families in need throughout the year. Additionally, the money will contribute to the development of a new project: the creation of an ‘Abel Hut’ – a dedicated base to store equipment and supplies for future events.
Claire and the team have also extended heartfelt thanks to the many generous sponsors who helped make Music at the Manor possible. These include Monopoly Insurance, The Commercial Centre, Gallery 21, Kong Scaffolding, The Local Marketing Company, Boots Opticians Andover, Purbeck Civil Engineering, The Dee Dee Trust, The Oak at Smannell, Access Care, The Pear Tree, Bulpitt Print, Love Andover, and Andover Radio. Their contributions were vital in helping to bring the event to life and raise vital funds for the charity.
The fundraising doesn’t stop here. The Abel Foundation has a busy calendar ahead, including:
- A Bingo and Horse Racing evening in September
- The annual Abel Fest family fun day, also in September 2025
- A Christmas Fayre in November 2025
And for those looking to take on a challenge for a good cause, next year offers some exciting opportunities to get involved. Supporters can sign up to abseil down the Spinnaker Tower or take part in the iconic London Marathon in aid of The Abel Foundation.
Anyone interested in joining future events or supporting the charity’s work is encouraged to get in touch.