Music is the food of love as devoted Graeme continues to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society
Music is the food of love as devoted Graeme continues to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society
Local music promoter and long-standing supporter of Alzheimer’s Society, Graeme McGrory, is running another fundraising gig featuring popular acts ‘Hardwicke Circus’ and Ash Wilson’s new band, the ‘Wilson Brothers’, who are teaming up for a special Valentine’s Day event at the Grasslot Club, Maryport, on Sunday 19 February.
‘Feel the Valentine Blues’, like Graeme’s previous events, will be very much organised with Graeme’s partner Ann Westcott in mind. Ann lives with Alzheimer’s and is now cared for by staff at Dalton Court Care Home in Cockermouth. Despite being diagnosed with PCA (a rare form of Alzheimer’s) in 2010, she is still able to enjoy music. Tickets for the Valentines event will be on sale until Friday 17th February, with a limited number available at the door on the day of gig on Sunday 19 February. The event will be fully wheelchair accessible, with doors opening at 1.45 and the event finishing at 8pm in time for the last train.
Graeme, who hails from Dearham, has been organising gigs since 2015, in partnership with Mark Howes from Maryport. Together they have raised over £4000, despite having events interrupted by the pandemic. They raised almost £2000 last year alone, thanks to the generosity of people around West Cumbria, and local actor Billy Walker also got involved at the start of this year by hosting donations at the Theatre Royal in Workington.
Graeme said: “Ann and I are so grateful to everyone who keeps supporting these fundraisers by coming along and enjoying great music for a brilliant cause. The events also help raise awareness of how beneficial music can be for people living with dementia. Our Feel the Blues initiative has been able to bring music right into Ann’s care home to the delight of staff and residents. In fact, she’s had a personal concert in her room by Jonny from Hardwicke Circus earlier this month and later in February, Ash Wilson will perform a private acoustic gig for Ann and her fellow residents and carers which we’re all looking forward to.”
Jade Trafford, Alzheimer’s Society Fundraiser for Cumbria and Lancashire said: “Graeme is a devoted fundraisers for the Society and does so much to raise awareness of dementia. We’re so grateful for his enthusiasm and determination which supports our efforts to offer help and hope to people across the country who are living with dementia.”
Tickets are £10, available from Billy Bowman’s, Cockermouth, HMV Carlisle and Workington, Stitched Up, Maryport and www.toptablepromotions.co.uk.
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