African drummers, Zulu warriors, Ghanaian acrobats and Masai cultural dancers are set to greet visitors to the Watford Colosseum, as part of a charity evening.

Guests are invited to attend the East African Famine Appeal Concert on Friday, October 14, in aid of the British Red Cross and ADRA UK (Adventist Development and Relief Agency).

Organiser Diana Badia, who is originally from Kenya, but now lives in Hemel Hempstead, said she decided to arrange the event as she felt so moved by the plight of East African famine victims.

She said: “In this day and age it is heart-breaking to think that so many people are dying from starvation.

“East of Africa is in the grips of a devastating and lingering famine along with drought that has claimed an overwhelming number of lives.

“Despite worldwide coverage and regular reports of ongoing donations; reports still indicate that tens of thousands of people - mostly children - have died of causes related to malnutrition.

“High and increasing staple food prices, as well as regional conflict, are combining to make the situation even worse.

"Television images of emaciated children, arid dry landscapes, families with no livelihood or assets are all too familiar.

“Desperately hungry families trek long distances, some leaving family members along the way to die in order to allow the rest a chance to survive. It breaks my heart to contemplate and contrast this to the privileges we enjoy in the UK.

“British Red Cross and ADRA-UK are continuing aid for emergency famine relief and long term solutions for the region.

“But we can all play a small part in helping towards the East African appeal.

“I’d like to encourage all to come and enjoy the concert. By attending not only will you be having fun, but also raising money for an incredibly worthwhile cause.”

Guests can expect performances from Masai Cultural Arts (Kenya), Dan-Kira Entertainment (Ethiopia), an acrobatic performance (Ghana), Sankule Kan (Mali), drum arts Ngoma (Uganda), Zulu warriors (South Africa) as part of the two and a half hour show.

Sarah Amexheta, community fundraiser for the British Red Cross in Hertfordshire, said; "We are very grateful to Masai Cultural Arts for putting on this show to help raise money for our East Africa food crisis appeal.

“The Red Cross movement has been working since the beginning of the crisis to help provide emergency relief for the millions affected, and to help people recover their livelihoods.

“Every contribution is hugely valuable so we hope the East African famine appeal concert will be a great success."

· The event will be held at Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, from 7pm on Friday, October 14.

For tickets call the box office on: 08450 753 993 For further information visit: eastafricanfamineconcert on Facebook.