A concert to raise awareness about domestic abuse which was launched with just 46p of funding marks its 10th anniversary this week.

The annual Let Loose show in Gillingham High Street returns this Friday (July 26) as it marks the milestone anniversary.

Oluwamayowa Oyinloye set it up in 2014 having been a survivor of sexual abuse as a child.

She said: “I wasn’t working and my husband wasn’t working – the only money we had was 46 pence but I had the vision.”

The event, which will be returning to the town centre features a variety of singing and dance performances.

Its purpose is to give people with similar experiences some hope.

Oluwamayowa, 43, added: “The vision is me dressed up in glitter on stage saying ‘Look at me. I’ve been at the hands of abuse at a young age but I survived and so can you’.

“What I like about the location is that most of the people who come up to me after I share my story didn’t necessarily come for the concert but were passing by.

“This message is for them.”

The free concert will feature a range of music, including classical, gospel choir and acts from local artists.

Oluwamayowa, who is a Gospel artist performing under the name MJPraise, will also be singing.

Her original music, including her song One Voice, led to her being invited to perform along with her choir for King Charles and Queen Camilla.

At the event, there will also be refreshments and a commemorative cake-cutting ceremony at the end.

Therapists will also be there to signpost victims to any help they may need.

For Oluwamayowa, the most meaningful part of the concert comes down to the people she is able to help.

She said: “For me, it's the young and older people. When they come to me, I’m the first person they’ve talked to about the abuse they’ve been through.

“They don’t believe that anybody would understand them, but seeing somebody talk about hope passionately gives them the courage to overcome.

“People don’t realise that abuse affects lots of areas in our lives.”

The success of the Let Loose showcase has seen her deliver concerts in Uganda and Pakistan over the past year.

She said: “It’s just so touching to me because we started in Gillingham and now we’ve gone international.

“But I’ve always said that wherever we do Let Loose, we will always come back to where we started from.”

The concert will take place in Gillingham High Street from midday on Friday.

The event will be supported by community members and local dignitaries, including the deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kent.