Soul legend Beverley Knight, a passionate advocate for greater opportunities in music, has taken on a role as ambassador to a charitable foundation set up in memory of her musical director and guitarist Paul ‘Reidy’ Reid.
Paul, who worked with Beverley for more than 25 years, died aged 54 on Christmas Day 2020. Now his widow Pauline, and son Liam have launched an on-going campaign to help aspiring performers and behind the scenes experts in his name.
Speaking after the launch of the Paul Reid Foundation in Birmingham, Beverley said supremely talented young people were being held back by financial constraints.
“If you come from a disadvantaged background financially, you may have all the skill in the world, but success seems so far away from you and Reidy wanted to do something to bridge that gap so that’s where the foundation comes in,” she said.
“Reidy believed fervently in equality and fairness of opportunity for...
