A FOREST singer who has sold her clothes, her car and put in her life savings to win a place at one of the top academies of performing arts in the country is making a last ditch attempt to raise the money to cover her fees. If she can't, she says goodbye to her dreams.

Hayley-jo Whitney from Station Street in Cinderford beat hundreds of hopefuls to secure one of only 20 prized places at the Mountview Academy of Performing Arts in London. Academy students have included Amanda Holden of 'Britain's Got Talent' and Denise Welsh of 'Loose Women'.

But the catch is that fees for Mountview are £16,000 and Hayley-jo needs to secure her place by September 19 – two weeks away. The clock is ticking fast.

Despite selling her car, her clothes and holding shows and boot car sales, Hayley-jo is still shy of her target.

Hayley, a former Heywood student says: "I've used my life savings and have spent the summer trying to raise the remaining funds by doing concerts, running summer courses in drama for children and teaching Zumba at local venues like Ruspidge Hall, Ruardean Hall and Ross Larruperz.

"However even with all of this hard work, help from family and friends as well as selling everything, I'm still short of my target.

"I feel my dream is slipping away. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, this is my chance and I don't want money to be the reason to hold me back from achieving my goals. I've worked too hard to get this far."

Hayley-Jo has had the life long dream of being a singer in the West End. She started performing in the Forest Youth Theatre with Carole Roderick 25 years ago, after studying performing arts in Cheltenham and went on to perform all over the country and eventually the world after joining Princess Cruises as a lead vocalist in 2000.  

As a last ditch attempt at raising the remaining money Hayley-jo is performing in an early evening concert 'A night at the musicals' at Ruspidge Village hall this Sunday (September 11) at 5pm. Doors open at 4.30pm.

"You can bring your own wine and cheese for a cabaret style journey through some of the most beloved show tunes of the West End and Broadway stages'. My sisters Helen Whitney and Karen Jameson will be joining me on stage, which I'm really excited about and there will be guest appearances from local performers Tom Brooks and Paul Edmunds aka Them2.

"I hope the show doubles as a farewell performance as I head off to follow my dreams in London, I really hope people come along and support me and become a part of that dream."

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