Room Thirteen writer Sian Jennifer Smith, who also runs the website Rocking Music, has taken up the challenge of hosting her own Oxjam event.

Oxjam is the ultimate DIY festival, made up of hundreds of events around the UK, taking place in October. The events are organised by people who know and love their local music scene, all in aid of Oxfam. Since 2006, more than 36,000 musicians have played to an audience of over 750,000 people at almost 3,000 Oxjam events, raising in excess of £1 million to fight poverty around the world.

“I was so lucky that I was actually offered a great venue with technical support thrown in” Sian said, “I didn’t have to travel around schmoozing local venue managers. The members of Patriots MC UK were more than happy to offer their club house to raise money for Oxfam and have been proactive in offering ideas.”

“What started as a small idea of a 3-hour event one night in October has turned into a monster rock session that will take place over 12 hours - nothing like pressure!”

Sian will be publishing regular updates here on Room Thirteen allowing you to follow her on her musical mission through the highs and the lows, to find out more about the bands that are getting involved and maybe even pick up some useful tips for your own event along the way!

Sian’s Oxjam gig is confirmed to take place on Saturday 30th October 2010 at The Patriot Inn in Crumlin, South Wales, NP11 4PT. If you would like to donate to Sian’s Oxjam fund safely and securely, please visit her Just Giving page.

For further information about Oxjam, including a list of events taking place in your area, please check out the Oxjam website.