cancer fundraising
Here is a selection of some of the photos I’ve already been sent of people with their copies of A New Dawn. It’s always a fun way to keep track of who has bought the album and help to spread the message about the release.
October is bound to be a month of reflection for me, especially for someone who has been a chronic overthinker in the past. Removing all the horrendous going on in the UK and the wider world at the moment, the last 12 months has been a time of great change for me. Certainly as far as mental health goes and I am much the better for it. Work in progress, but hopefully taking steps in the right direction. I am sure I will be speaking more about this during the next few weeks.
A massive and heartfelt thanks to Stuart Ling, A1 photographer, who captured the moment recently in Dyserth, North Wales during the Love Hope Strength beach hike weekend, when Steve ‘Smiley’ Barnard, drummer with The Alarm, gave my album a Bob Geldof Live Aid-esque like ringing endorsement during his set on the Friday night.
I met Steve Norman from Spandau Ballet almost 4 years ago, in Brighton with his partner Sabrina Winter, for The Record. That meeting and their inclusion in the book has led to me making lots of new friendships on social media and I’ve had some terrific support for my fundraising as a result. Friday night finally gave me the perfect opportunity to see Steve and his band The Sleevz play live at The Whitty Theatre in Wokingham, which is only a 15 minute drive from Reading.
My second trip to London in three days to see what is the third of four concerts in 10 days! It’s been a while since I was able to say anything like that. I must admit the stamina is not quite up to speed yet, but nevertheless it was a brilliant evening watching Kim Wilde at The London Palladium last night.
Last night was all about live music and friendships, two things that play such a big part in my life. I travelled up to the 100 Club in Oxford Street to see the first non-chart band I really go into Department S. A massive bonus was Eddie Macdonald, original bass player in The Alarm playing an acoustic support slot. I was also meeting fellow Alarm fans Jan and Margaret, from Norway who are in London for a few days.
Sending love, hope and strength to Mike Peters, his wife Jules and all their family at this time with Mike’s Leukaemia having come back. The music of Mike Peters and The Alarm has been a massive part of my life since 1983. But it is more than music. The wider family that now exists through the music is something truly special.
I’ve bought a very special fundraising album which is raising funds for the Ukrainian humanitarian appeal in war torn Ukraine.
Last night I went to see Frank Turner at Reading Hexagon, almost 6 years since I first saw him play live at the same venue. It was a terrific show and the first gig of his first full UK tour since lockdown.
A New Dawn was released last Friday. Tonight I have donated £810, which equates to £270 each for Bowel Cancer UK, Love Hope Strength and The Bowel Movement. I am so grateful for all the support for the album. Thank you to everyone who has bought a copy so far. The pre-order period was hugely successful, but now the hard work begins to try and sell more copies and increase the amount that can be donated. The feedback so far has been excellent so if you are able to support the album that would be amazing x
