Abenefit gig planned at Hitchin Christian Centre next weekend has a very particular focus – helping a gifted student fulfil his potential.

African student Abdulazeez Muyildeen, known as Zizo, has run out of cash before completing his university studies – but he has plenty of friends.

One of them is Marcia Makeba, who got to know him through her daughter Shahnee, a fellow student who graduated 18 months ago.

Marcia said: “Zizo is the only one of her friends who did not graduate, due to a lack of funds.

“I volunteered to help because I know first hand the struggles international students experience.

“Zizo is bright and talented in the field of computing and just needs a little help.”

To help give Zizo a leg-up towards his dream of a career in digital security, a varied bill of entertainment has been put together for the Bedford Road centre on Saturday, April 30, from 6pm.

They include local musician and teacher Anthony Spicer, who is part of the Hitchin Christian Centre congregation, who will be playing flamenco and jazz. Also on the bill are singers Sophia Soul and Jenise Wynter, who performs at Mea J, and London stand up comedian Athena Kuglenu.

As well as a wide variety of music and performance, an auction and an exhbition supported by local businesses, there’s fab food on the menu, too. Marcia said: “If you love Jamaican cuisine or just would love to try it there will be traditional curry goat, jerk chick, escovitch fish, plaintain and fried dumplings served by Sienna’s Catering of Hitchin Market.

You can book £12 tickets in advance from Marcia on 07773 755362 or pay £15 on the door. Concessions at £10 are on offer, and there’s also a family ticket for £45. You can also book online via the www.hitchinherts.com/events website.