MUSICAL youths from Southend got together this week to raise money and awareness for homeless young people and their mental health.

The group of eight young buskers who are part of the All In Music project at Southend YMCA, gathered together under the Railway bridge in Southend High Street on Saturday December 14, and entertained the passing crowds.

They gathered £233.78 in donations which will be going back into the project and into the Southend YMCA Housing Project, which currently helps home 34 young people at Southend YMCA.

Mr Davey Hal, a tutor at the All In Music project, explained: "We work to offer a range of free music opportunities for young people and the wider community. The project is aimed at kids who haven't had a chance to experience music lessons or learning about music. We get referrals from all kinds of places - schools, youth services, carers - so we can help young people develop their confidence through music.

"We have a core of about 20 members, who also take part in film making.

"The eight who took part in the busking day, said they wanted to raise awareness of youth homelessness and mental health and to help promote the great things the All In Music Project did - they decided they wanted to do this off their own bats."

All in Music is aimed at 11 to 25 year olds and since being established in 2005, has "engaged hundreds of young people" through its projects.

Mr Hal added: "We have put on so many different performances this year. Next year we are going to be doing even more."

The All In Music performers were Alice Berry, Luke Evans, Nate Doucette, Alex Newman, Josh Jackson, Elora Walton, Katie Blackwell and Chloe Payne.

The Southend YMCA headquarters is in Ambleside Drive, Southend.