BEST friends Laura Venables and Eleri Buck will take to the stage at the Torch Theatre next month, to raise money for two charities close to their hearts.

The pair have organised a concert in aid of the HOPE MS Centre, in Neyland, and Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) - causes they feel have helped their families over the years.

Eleri, who is from Neyland, lost her mum Nina in 2008. She died suddenly at home, aged just 41.

“She wasn’t ill at all, I kissed her goodbye before I went to the cinema and I came home and she was gone. There was no warning,” said Eleri.

Eleri said the experience of losing her mum so suddenly was very difficult to deal with growing up, and has prompted her to raise awareness of sudden death, so other families can get checked out.

“I would never want anyone else to go through what we have,” said 19-year-old Eleri.

Laura’s dad Nigel was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 14 years ago, and relies on physiotherapy from HOPE to keep his muscles moving.

Laura, 21, says her dad is confined to a wheelchair, and relies on his family to look after him.

“Especially when I was younger, I didn’t really understand. I don’t think I would have coped without my brother and my mum Christine.

“She does an amazing job; I don’t know how she does it. She works, she brought us up, she looks after dad; she does everything a mum and a dad would do.”

Looking for a way to 'give back' their families, who have always supported their dancing, Laura and Eleri have planned a fantastic line-up for the concert.

Acts taking to the stage at the Torch Theatre next month include local dance companies On Your Toes, Unison and Groundswell Dance Company, plus local bands and singers. Laura and Eleri will also be performing, along with Eleri’s younger sisters.

“We think it’s a nice way to mark being friends so long, and we hope our parents will be very proud," said Eleri.

The ‘Pembrokeshire Talent Charity Show ‘ will take place on Saturday, June 14.

Tickets are £8 for adults and £5 for children, and are available by calling the Torch Theatre Box Office on 01646 695267.

Raffle tickets are also currently on sale for 50p, with prizes including days out, meals, hampers, gift vouchers and more.