A Heartfelt Thank You: Celebrating George Michael and Giving Back
What a truly unforgettable day! On Sunday 22nd June, we welcomed over 350 wonderful guests to Mill Cottage, Goring—the beloved former home of George Michael—for Outside25, a heartfelt event celebrating George’s life, music, and legacy. It was more than just a celebration—it was a moment of community, reflection, and generosity. And thanks to your incredible support, we are thrilled to announce that we raised over £25,000 profit for charity!
This incredible sum is being distributed among five incredibly worthy causes: Childline, Samaritans, Goring Library, Streatley C of E Primary School, and Goring C of E Primary School. Each of these organisations plays a vital role in supporting, educating, and caring for people in our communities—and your generosity is directly helping them continue their amazing work.
The highlight of the day was the live performance of “Celebrating George Michael”, featuring the fantastic Steve Mitchell and Dave West. Dave brought a special magic to the stage—not only is he a brilliant musician, but he also played alongside George and Wham! in the early 80s, laying down the bass lines for unforgettable tracks like Careless Whisper, Wham Rap, and Club Tropicana. To hear that music performed in the very place George once called home was a moving and powerful experience for many of us.
Beyond the music, the event was filled with moments of generosity. Our auction was a huge success, thanks to an incredible selection of prizes. Among the standout lots were original works donated by the world-renowned street artist Mr Meana, whose creations have been commissioned by stars like Ed Sheeran, Elton John, Steven Gerrard, and Pep Guardiola. We were also humbled by two very special donations from the owners of Mill Cottage themselves: a night’s stay in the beautiful Pool House and George’s own stone dog bath, which proved to be a one-of-a-kind collector’s item.
Of course, we can’t forget our raffle, which played an important part in boosting our fundraising total. Every ticket bought, every bid placed, and every kind word shared on the day helped us reach this incredible milestone—and for that, we are truly grateful.
And perhaps most importantly, we want to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to our incredible team of volunteers. You gave up your time, energy, and expertise to help bring this event to life. From setting up and packing down, to running stalls, managing logistics, greeting guests, and everything in between—you were the heartbeat of the day. Your dedication and kindness made a massive difference, and we couldn’t have done it without you.
To everyone who came, contributed, or supported from afar: thank you. Your presence and kindness made the event a joyful tribute to George and a powerful force for good in our community. Outside25 wasn’t just about looking back; it was about using George’s enduring legacy to do something meaningful today.
From all of us involved in organising the event—thank you for making Outside25 such a success. We hope it left you with warm memories and the knowledge that together, we made a real difference. Here’s to the music, the memories, and the community we build when we come together.
With love and gratitude,
The Outside25 Team
