WHEN student Nicole Mcnally learned the hard facts about domestic abuse during a school lesson as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, she could not forget them.

The 16-year-old Bournemouth and Poole College student wrote, recorded and released a track entitled 'Annabelle', the story of a woman trying to escape domestic abuse, to raise money for the Bournemouth Women's Refuge, which is run by local housing and support provider BCHA.

Not content with this, Nicole then singlehandedly organised a special music event, calling upon her local music contacts, and persuading 16 artists to perform for free and help raise more money for the refuge.

The all-day event took place at Chaplin’s Cellar Bar in Boscombe and featured musicians including Matt Black, Si Genaro from The Voice, Jonny Phillips, Kimari Raven, Matt Griffiths, Ant Lewis and Nicole herself.

"I was inspired to write the song after reading and discussing the topic during Domestic Violence Awareness Month," said Nicole.

"After playing it a few times locally and seeing the reaction it received from several survivors, which promoted them to share their own experiences with me, I decided to release 'Annabelle' as a charity single and host the event."

Assisted by the team at Chaplin’s and Matt Black and Hangover Studios, who let her record 'Annabelle' for free, Nicole delivered a cheque for £1,000 last week to BCHA.

Nicole has been performing in public since she was 10 years old and over the past six years has taken part in hundreds of live music events, talent competitions, musical theatre productions and private gigs, performing at local venues including The Pavilion, O2 Academy and Lighthouse, as well as the Queens Theatre and Royal Albert Hall in London.

Naomi James, from BCHA’s Bournemouth Domestic Abuse Service, said: “We are absolutely overwhelmed by what Nicole has achieved for the women’s refuge and the money will go towards converting a garage at the refuge into a computer room for the children."

She described Nicole as 'exceptionally talented' with a 'clear passion and empathy for supporting vulnerable people'. "I urge everyone to buy a copy of the single, it’s fantastic,” she said.

*Buy Annabelle at Nicole Mcnally Official on Facebook.