Get ready to rock in aid of a good cause this Sunday when a host of bands donate their time to support the Homeless Action Resource Project and the services it provides to the Homeless in Southend.

The brainchild of HARP fundraiser Stephen Colyer, the event takes place from midday until 7pm on the forecourt of the Grand Hotel. Broadway, Leigh.

Stephen says: " It is a chance to see some of Southend's finest with bands such as The Valerie Masters, featuring local artistic genius Paul Karslake, will perform at the opposite end of the musical spectrum to Virgo Intactica who recently supported The White Stripes on tour.

"As will the amazing TJ and the Demons larger than life rocking blues' performance be in total contrast to the approach of The Local Wildlife.

"So along with a powerhouse set' always guaranteed by Nathan Abbott's Hookah' to the respected virtuoso Mark Schubert of Phillious Williams, you would be hard pushed to witness a talented a line-up such as this anywhere in the world."

The event is free but Stephen is hoping those who attend will make a donation to the charity which operates three centres for the homeless in and around Southend.

"We would obviously really seriously appreciate donations throughout the day," says Stephen, "to ensure that everyone's efforts are rewarded in helping us to raise as much as we can to contribute to the continued vital work and efforts of the staff and volunteers of HARP for the benefit of homeless people in our community."

He adds: "The music community' in Southend has always been very supportive and generous in many respects and in many different ways.

"So it came as a welcome and wonderful surprise when Simon Gilson and Terry Hope of Professional Music Technology in Queens Road, Southend, offered to donate the wonderful gift of a brand new guitar to be raffled on the day."