New guitar for student who lost everything in a fire

A WARRINGTON undergraduate who lost all his possessions in a fire has received a boost from the River Reeves Foundation.
Oscar Webb was given a new guitar by the charity after his plight was raised by his former tutor at Priestley College, Matt Wilson.
The 19-year-old had been affected by the fire that swept through student accommodation in Bolton town centre in November.
He said: “I lost basically everything I owned. I was committed to moving away to university and had enjoyed making my flat my own home.
“I took everything with me when I moved, including my PC which was important for my course, a games console, several console games dating back to 2010, two guitars, all of my clothes and shoes.
“It was a very strange feeling to have no personal possessions.”
Matt, with the help of fellow Priestley tutor Michael Grainger, approached the River Reeves Foundation, which has the ambition of helping young people realise their dreams as actors, writers, artists, directors and musicians.
It was set up after the tragic loss of River and his fellow members of the band Viola Beach. It was River’s step-mum, Sharon Dunne, who presented Oscar with his new guitar.
She said: “We heard that Oscar’s guitar was very personal and important to him so we felt he deserved the foundation’s support,”
Oscar, who is studying game art at university, said the gift had meant a lot.
“My guitars are very personal to me. I play to unwind and relax and am in a band,” he said.
“Music means a lot to me so I am very grateful to the foundation for the support.”
Picture: Sharon Dunne with Oscar Webb and Matt Wilson.